Latin name

Icelus bicornis

Identification

The twohorn sculpin has a head that is as wide as it is tall. It has a thin caudal peduncle and one sharp spike in front of each eye and two behind. This is how it got its common name. The lateral line is usually incomplete and does not reach the base of the caudal fin. The length of the lateral line is associated with the number of shields that compose it, which usually does not exceed 37 or 38.

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 7 - 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 17 - 23; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 12 - 17. 

These fish have two dorsal fins—the first is spiny, while the second has soft rays—and large pectoral fins and thin pelvic fins. Their caudal fins are slightly rounded.

Fish colouring

The Twohorn sculpin has a yellowish body with many dark spots on its back and sides. Its caudal fin has dark vertical stripes and a black spot at the base.

Distribution

It is widespread in the western Atlantic: From the Canadian Arctic to Hudson Bay, Ungava Bay, and Newfoundland. In the eastern Atlantic, it is found in: Greenland, Iceland, Jan Mayen, Svalbard, the Barents Sea, the Kara Sea, and Bohuslän in Norway. There was also a report from the Beaufort Sea in Alaska.

Habitat

It is a polar marine demersal species. They usually inhabit sand, mud, or stony ground. It prefers negative temperatures (up to -1.8°C) or temperatures close to 0°C.

Size

The twohorn sculpin typically grows to a length of 5-12 cm, but can reach up to 15 cm.

Behavior

These fish have a very wide vertical distribution range: from several meters to 560 meters. However, adult specimens are more often found within the range of 40-50 to 150-180 meters.

Food and feeding habits

They feed on benthic polychaetes and crustaceans, such as Hyppolyte and Boreophausia, as well as large hyperiids, such as Phascolosoma.

Reproduction

Spawning occurs from August through October. Depending on their body size, females lay between 100 and 400 eggs.

Fishing

This species is not commercially important.

Relationship with a person

Harmless.