Red sculpin

Procottus jeittelesii, the red sculpin or red Baikal sculpin,^[2] is a species of deepwater sculpin that is endemic to Lake Baikal in Russia.^[3] It is a freshwater fish that dwells under stones or in holes in the mud at a depth range of 0 to 800 m (0 to 2,625 ft).^[3][4] It is often found at around 100 m (330 ft), and is most abundant during the autumn and winter.^[3] From the late winter to the spring it breeds at depths of 5 to 30 m (16 to 98 ft).^[5] It can reach a maximum length of 18 cm (7.1 in), but typically is 10–12 cm (3.9–4.7 in).^[5] It has a red spotted or banded pattern on a light background.^[5] The red sculpin resembles two of its close relatives, the smaller P. gurwici and the larger P. major.^[6][7]

The red sculpin's diet consists of zoobenthos, especially amphipods but also oligochaetes.^[3][5] Despite its small size, it is caught and eaten by locals, and also eaten by the Baikal seal and other fish.^[8]

References