Image source: Robby Deans | inaturalist.org
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. 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 of Washington and in California They will inhabit water where the temperatures range from 15.5 °C to 23.9 °C. They will reside in rocky riffles of cold, clear streams, and occasionally lakes. They are benthic, sedentary, and nocturnal. Shorthead sculpin inhabit cold and cool water streams embedded with gravel-rocky substrates. In Idaho they are found year-round, while in other regions found primarily in the spring.
