E-Fauna BC Home

Cottus confusus Bailey & Bond, 1963
Shorthead Sculpin
Family: Cottidae
Introduction to the Fish

Photograph

Once images have been obtained, photographs of this taxon will be displayed in this window.Click on the image to enter our photo gallery.
No E-Fauna image is available for this taxon.

Map


Click on the map to view a larger version.
Source: Distribution map provided by Don McPhail for E-Fauna BC

Species Information

Chunky, short-headed, smooth-skinned species with prickles restricted to a small area behind the pectoral fin). Has a lateral line that is usually incomplete (22-34 lateral line pores). 11-13 anal rays, 15-18 rays in the second dorsal fin, 12-15 pectoral rays, and 4 pelvic rays. For further information see McPhail (2007). (Source: McPhail, J. D. 2007. The Freshwater Fishes of British Columbia. The University of Alberta Press. 620 p.)
Source: McPail, J. D. 2008. The Freshwater Fishes of British Columbia. University of Alberta Press, Edmonton.

Biology

Species Biology

Occurs in fast, rocky riffles of cold headwaters, creeks and rivers.

Source: FishBase. Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr 1991 A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 432 p.

Distribution

BC Distribution and Notes

In B.C., the shorthead sculpin occurs in Columbia River tributaries below Bonnington Falls and in the three km of the Kettle River below Cascade Falls. Their life history has never been studied in B.C. (early B.C. reports refer to the Rocky Mountain sculpin in the Flathead River as the shorthead sculpin). Most of the existing B.C. populations appear to be strong and in no immediate danger; however, Blueberry Creek near Castlegar is being encroached on by development and should be monitored. Additionally, Brilliant Dam divides the Slocan populations from those below the dam.

Source: Information provided by Don McPhail for E-Fauna BC.
Global Distribution

North America: Columbia River drainage in British Columbia, Canada and in Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon, USA; and in Puget Sound drainage in Washington.

Source: FishBase. Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr 1991 A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 432 p.
>

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)		COSEWIC
NativeS2S3BlueSC (Nov 2010)



BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

Additional Range and Status Information Links

NatureServe Explorer
 University of Alaska Museum

© 2014 E-Fauna BC  Contact us