Shorthead sculpin

The shorthead sculpin (Cottus confusus) is a species of fish in the family Cottidae. Shorthead Sculpins are bottom-dwelling small fish, typically sizing around 13 to 15 cm long. They have large heads and fanlike pectoral fins. They have 7-9 dorsal spines, 15-19 dorsal soft rays, and 10-14 anal soft rays. Narrow caudal peduncle. Palatine teeth and coloration being dark brown and yellow.[2]

Shorthead sculpin
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Scorpaeniformes
Family:	Cottidae
Genus:	Cottus
Species:	C. confusus
Binomial name
Cottus confusus R. M. Bailey & C. E. Bond

It is found in the United States and Canada, inhabiting the Columbia River drainage in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia. It is also found in the Puget Sound drainage in Washington. As well as California[3] They will inhabit water where the temperatures range from 15.5 °C and the highest being 23.9 °C It reaches a maximum length of 15.0 cm.[4] They will reside in rocky rifles of cold, clear streams, and occasionally lakes. They are benthic, sedentary, and nocturnal. Inhabit cold and cool water streams embedded with gravel-rocky substrates[5].IN Idaho they will be found year-round, while in other regions found primarily in the spring.

The shorthead sculpin diet resembles the same as other sculpins. They are benthic invertivores meaning they eat primarily aquatic insects, small fish, or trout and salmon eggs. They will spend the days hiding under rocks and then at night prey on the small invertebrates making them nocturnal hunters.[6]               

Reproduction- Females reach sexual maturity around two to three years and males two years of age. Spawning occurs in the spring when water temperature ranges from 8 to 15 degrees Celsius. Sculpins are nest builders. The males will prepare nest which are typically bult underneath rocks. The female will lay the eggs and then leave and then the male fertilizes the eggs. The male stays to guard and care for the eggs.[7]

Conservation status of these fish are least concern in United States. Main threats are extended periods of low flows, sudden significant alteration of hydrograph from flow as well as run off from mining and industrial activities. Another threat is the introduction of non-native species, specific threats from invasive species have yet to have been identified. They have found that the most competition and predation come from Largemouth Bass, Walleye and Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed pose a moderate to high ecological threat to the Shorthead sculpins.[8]