Kessler's sculpin

Kessler's sculpin (Leocottus kesslerii) is a species of Baikal sculpin, a freshwater fish native to Russia and Mongolia where it occurs in Lake Baikal and surrounding lakes as well as the Selenga, Angara and Bain Gol rivers.^[1] It is the only member of its genus.^[1] In Lake Baikal it occurs on sandy, rocky-sandy or sandy-muddy bottoms, ranging from relatively shallow water to depths of 70 m (230 ft).^[2] In rivers they mainly occur in slow-flowing channels and floodplains.^[2]

This species grows to a total length of 14 cm (5.5 in), but typically is 9–11 cm (3.5–4.3 in).^[2] Adults are crepuscular, and feed on gammarids, chironomids, and young fish.^[2] Spawning takes place in May to June at 3–5 m (9.8–16.4 ft) depths. Eggs are deposited under stones, and the male stays guarding the eggs.^[1] The pelagic larvae feed on plankton.^[2]

The Kessler's sculpin is sometimes caught by commercial fishers,^[2] and it is eaten by the Baikal seal, comprising about 0.3% of its diet in the winter and spring, and significantly more in the autumn.^[3]

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