Taurulus bubalis (Euphrasen, 1786)

Scientific Name and General Appearance

The longspined bullhead, scientific name Taurulus bubalis (Euphrasen, 1786), is a small fish with a thick tapering body and a large head, and it resembles the shorthorn sculpin, Myoxocephalus scorpius.

Gill Cover Spine Structure

Each side of its gill cover has two spines: the front spine extends further than the rear spine.

Skin and Bony Tubercles

Its skin does not have scales. A row of bony tubercles runs along the fish's flank on the lateral line, and backward-sloping bony tubercles are present on the crown of its head.

Body Coloration

The species displays a wide range of colors, varying through shades of brown or olive green, with cream-colored blotches and four dark vertical bands.

Belly Coloration and Breeding Season Variation

The belly is pale bluish-green, but becomes suffused with red in males during the breeding season.