Wednesday August 5, 2026
Common names: Prickly Sculpin
Scientific name: Cottus asper
Native range: Freshwater drainages along the Pacific Slope from Alaska to the Ventura River, California
Status: Least Concern
Habitat: Coastal and inland streams
Prickly sculpin (Cottus asper) are found on the West Coast from California to Alaska. Typically this species is found in pools with slight currents and in small to medium sized rivers with predominantly sandy bottoms. They can also inhabit brackish water and may be found in tidepools and estuaries. Dorsally, this species is dark brown, olive, or grey with a white to yellow ventral side and covered with irregular dark markings on its dorsal and lateral areas. Their common name is a reference to the rough texture of their skin just behind their pectoral fins on the lateral line. Prickly sculpins primarily feed on aquatic insects, larvae, and other benthic invertebrates. There are two forms of this species (coastal and inland) that are genetically distinct.
Fun Fact: This species is known to prey on salmon eggs and fry.