About Clinocottus recalvus (Greeley, 1899)
Common Name and Body Shape
Clinocottus recalvus, commonly known as the bald sculpin, has a large, depressed, flattened, broad head paired with an elongated, tapering body.
Coloration
Its head and body are marked with light to dark brown speckles, mixed with paler reddish and white mottles.
Head Features
The species has large eyes set on the top of the head, and a large, wide mouth that holds many small teeth.
Dorsal and Anal Fin Structure
Its dorsal fins are supported by 8 or 9 spines and between 14 and 17 soft rays, while the anal fin has between 10 and 13 soft rays.
Pelvic Fin Structure
Each pelvic fin has one spine and 3 rays.
Maximum Length
The maximum published total length recorded for this species is 13 cm (5.1 in).
Distribution Range
The bald sculpin occurs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, along the eastern coast of North America, ranging from Brookings, Oregon to Baja California Sur.
Habitat
It is a common species that lives in tidal pools and shallow rocky areas.
