Spoonhead Sculpin
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Name and Code
Family
Cottidae - sculpins
Species
Cottus ricei
Taxonomic Authority
(Nelson 1876)
Common Name(s)
Spoonhead Sculpin
French Name
chabot à tête plate
Species Code
383
Family TSN
167196
Parent TSN
167229
Species TSN
167253
Conservation Status
Global Rank (GRank)
G5 (2015-08-17)
National Rank (NRank)
N5 (2017-12-22)
Provincial Rank (SRank)
S4 (1997-10-10)
COSEWIC Status
Not at Risk (Apr 1989)
SARO Status
Not at Risk
AFS Status
none
Status Notes
none
Ecological Value
Ontario Origin
native
General Abundance
uncommon
Tolerance
intolerant
Economic Importance
forage fish
Length-Weight Regression Coefficents
Intercept (a)
-5.303
Slope (b)
3.104
Length Basis
TL
Habitat and Feeding
General Habitat(s)
lacustrine; riverine; estuarine
Environment
benthic
Trophic Class
invertivore
Thermal Regime
coldwater
Habitat Preference
deep waters (50-90 m) of lakes and rocky areas in cold, swift creeks and small to medium rivers; preferred water temperature range 4-8°C
Reproduction
Reproductive Guild
Guarders: Nest spawners: Speleophils
Spawning Habitat(s)
lacustrine; riverine
Spawning Season
spring-summer
Spawning Month(s)
April-September
Spawning Temperature (°C)
4-6
Fecundity
280-1,200
Nursery Habitat(s)
lacustrine; riverine
Size and Age
Adult Length (cm)
5.1-8.4 TL
Adult Weight (kg)
0.001-0.005
Age at Maturity (yrs)
2
Maximum Length (cm)
13.5 TL
Maximum Weight (kg)
0.00754
Lifespan (yrs)
6
Ontario Records
Record Length (cm)
12.0 TL
Record Weight (kg)
none
Ontario Range Map
Spoonhead Sculpin range
Ontario Distribution
northwestern, northeastern and central Ontario in suitable habitats including the Great Lakes; extirpated from Lakes Erie and Ontario
Photographs
Spoonhead Sculpin photograph
Spoonhead Sculpin photograph
Notes
enters brackish waters in estuaries of James Bay; often associated with Deepwater Sculpin and Ninespine Stickleback
Information Sources
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