Cottus hypselurus
Ozark Sculpin
NS
G4
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned Fishes)
Scorpaeniformes (Lionfish, Stonefish and others)
Cottidae (Sculpins)
Cottus
Cottus hypselurus (Ozark Sculpin)
Description
This species account was compiled from
FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2025. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version 04/2025.)
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Characters
Body shape: elongated. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D VI-VII (96% of specimens); pectoral fin rays usually 13-15; caudal-base band may be notched or non-notched; lateral line pores modally 23; pigmentation of the ventral surface of the peritoneum moderate to strong; dorsal-fin union slight to moderate; blue chin and belly on spawning males (shared with C. immaculatus and C. caeruleomentum) (Ref. 83416).
Distribution
North America: USA (Osage, Black, and Gasconade drainages).
Habitat Associations
Freshwater. demersal.
Biology
This species prefers cool clear brooks and moderate to large streams and rivers usually with rapid flow and gravelly or rocky bottoms. Within these environment, it typically occurs in shallow, gravel-bottomed riffles or shoal regions with strong current. It is reported to often occur in thick growths of watercress (Nasturtium officina. Little is known of its biology. Feeds also on crayfish (Orconectes); larvae of Trichoptera (Hydropsychidae), Plecoptera, Ephemeroptera, Diptera (Chironomus, Simulium), gastropods, elmid beetles and miscellaneous animal material, including other individuals of C. hypselurus (Ref. 121014).
Max length: 8.5 cm SL.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC), assessed 2011-11-11. Resilience: Medium (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Commercial or Environmental Importance
Fisheries: of no interest.
References
Kinziger, A.P. and R.M. Wood (2010) Cottus immaculatus, a new species of sculpin (Cottidae) from the Ozark Highlands of Arkansas and Missouri, USA. Zootaxa 2340:50-64.
Robins, C.R. and H.W. Robison (1985) Cottus hypselurus, a new cottid fish from the Ozark Uplands, Arkansas and Missouri. American Midland Naturalist, 114(2):360-373.
Comments On Cottus hypselurus