Bullhead | |
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Conservation status | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Scorpaeniformes |
Suborder: | Cottoidei |
Superfamily: | Cottoidea |
Family: | Cottidae |
Genus: | Cottus |
Species: | C. gobio |
Binomial name | |
Cottus gobio Linnaeus, 1758 |
The bullhead[1][2][3] (Cottus gobio) is a freshwater fish that is widely distributed in Europe, mainly in rivers. It is a member of the Cottidae family, a type of sculpin. It is also known as the miller's thumb, freshwater sculpin, common bullhead or European bullhead.[2][3]
The bullhead is a small demersal fish that lives both in cold, clear, fast-slowing small streams and in middle-sized rivers. It also occurs on gravelly shores of cold lakes. Further, it thrives in diluted brackish water of the Northern Baltic Sea.[2] Its food items include benthic insects and crustaceans.[2] On reproduction, it attaches its eggs in clumps on undersides of large stones.[2]