Latin name

Triglops pingelii

Other name

Triglops beani, Triglops pleurostictus.

Identification

Ribbed sculpins have a flattened, low body, a low caudal peduncle, and long unpaired fins. They have characteristic transverse oblique skin folds below the lateral line on their flanks. Their snouts are noticeably pointed. The eyes of this species are small; their diameter is equal to or slightly greater than the length of the snout. There are 47–50 pores in the lateral line.

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 10 - 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 23 - 26; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 23 - 26.

The caudal fin of these fish is small. The lower seven to eight rays of the pectoral fins are moderately developed but not particularly thickened.

Fish colouring

The Ribbed Sculpin has a light gray body with large black markings on its back. There is a dark band that runs from under the eye to the mouth. 

Distribution

This species is widespread in the Arctic, including the Beaufort Sea in Alaska. North Pacific: Japan, the Aleutian Islands, and the Bering Sea to Washington, USA. In the North Atlantic, it is found in: Cape Cod, USA; Greenland; Svalbard; and Denmark. Northwest Atlantic: Canada.

Habitat

This marine, bottom-dwelling species inhabits shallow depths and prefers temperate climates. Its habitat depth ranges from 0 to 930 meters. Ribbed sculpins are mainly found on sandy bottoms that are sometimes slightly silty and contain pebbles or small stones.

Size

The maximum length for males of this species is 20.0 cm, while for females it is 20.2 cm. Females are always larger than males. The maximum reported age is six years.

Behavior

In the northern seas where they live, these fish usually inhabit areas with negative bottom temperatures and slightly lower salinity. In the Laptev Sea, for example, the salinity is up to 16 ‰, while in the Bering Sea, they are more often found at temperatures close to 0° (from -1.7 to +3.8°) and in areas with salinity above 30 ‰.

Food and feeding habits

From benthos to epibenthos. It feeds on small crustaceans, such as amphipods and mysids, and on polychaetes and fish less frequently.

Reproduction

In September and October, near-mature females have large, milky-red eggs (with an average diameter of about 3 mm). They lay about 400 eggs.

Fishing

This species is not commercially important.

Relationship with a person

Harmless.