Latin name

Myoxocephalus jaok

Identification

The head of the plain sculpin is depressed with bony spines and ridges on its upper surface. Its upper flanks have rounded, serrated bony plates. When viewed from above, the head of this species appears relatively narrow with a U-shaped mouth. There are no antennae on the head or body. The upper preoperculum is straight, long, and unbranched. Above the lateral line are many round bony plates bearing spinous processes. Below the lateral line are fewer, smaller plates bearing posteriorly projecting processes. The lateral line consists of three rows of pores.

Features of fish fins

Plain sculpin have dorsal fins supported by eight to ten spines and fourteen to seventeen soft rays. The anal fin has thirteen to fifteen soft rays. The first dorsal fin is tall, with the first barbed ray being slightly shorter than the third largest. The upper profile of the fin descends steeply to the bottom. The base of the first dorsal fin reaches the beginning of the second dorsal fin.

Fish colouring

The plain sculpin is gray-brown with numerous small black spots and possibly fuzzy dark stripes. 

Distribution

This species of fish is found in the northern Pacific Ocean, from the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk, through the Kuril Islands, and to southeastern Kamchatka and the western Bering Sea. It is also found in the eastern Aleutian Islands and from the Gulf of Alaska to the eastern Chukchi Sea and the western Beaufort Sea.

Habitat

It occurs in shallow water on sandy and muddy substrates, from the intertidal zone to depths of generally less than 80 meters (260 feet). It is rarely caught at depths greater than 150 meters (490 feet).

Size

The maximum published length of this species is 74 cm (29 in), and the maximum weight is 8.0 kg (17.6 lb).

Behavior

Some adults migrate from shallow coastal waters to deeper bodies of water in the winter.

Food and feeding habits

These fish have a diet consisting of over 100 different foods, although fish and decapods are the most important. Plain sculpin are ambush predators that change their diet according to their age, size, the season, and what is available.

Reproduction

Between December and March, females spawn by laying eggs on plants and in clusters of mussels in shallow water. Males guard the eggs until they hatch. After hatching in May, juveniles settle in waters near the shore.

Fishing

This species is not commercially important.

Relationship with a person

Harmless.