| Myoxocephalus scorpius | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Scorpaeniformes |
| Family: | Cottidae |
| Genus: | Myoxocephalus |
| Species: | M. scorpius |
| Binomial name | |
| Myoxocephalus scorpius (Linnaeus, 1758) |
|
Myoxocephalus scorpius, known variously as the shorthorn sculpin, short-spined sea scorpion, bull-rout and the father-lasher, is a relatively small demersal fish of the Northern Atlantic and adjacent subarctic coasts. Adult fishes are commonly 15-30 cm in length, with a squat appearance. The fish has a large spiny head and a tapering body. It is a mottled grey-brown in colour but can be darker, including black as base coloring. It has a large mouth and spiny gill covers.[1]
Shorthorn sculpin is found among seaweed and stones on rocky bottoms with mud or sand.
The English vernacular names of this fish include shorthorn sculpin (USA, Canada, Alaska), short-spined sea scorpion (UK, Ireland), bull-rout (UK), bullhead (UK), father-lasher (Isle of Man), goat sculpin, guffy, horny whore, pig-fish, scolping, scopin, scopy, scully, sculpin, granny fish, scummy and scumpy (all Newfoundland).[1]