Fish Species ›› The Peace/Williston Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program

The Peace/Williston Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program (PWFWCP)

Fish Identification

Sculpin Key

1a)

Two pores at tip of chin (Fig. A); lateral line incomplete; prickles absent or reduced to a patch behind the pectoral fin
-> Slimy sculpin, Cottus cognatus

1b)

One pore at tip of chin (Fig. B); lateral line complete; back and sides usually covered with fine prickles
-> see 2

Figure A

Figure B

2a)

Dorsal fins strongly conjoined (Fig.C); strong palatine teeth; caudal peduncle relatively deep (3-4 times into head length)
-> Prickly sculpin, Cottus asper

2b)

Dorsal fins usually separate, never strongly conjoined (Fig. D); no palatine teeth; caudal peduncle narrow (5-7 times into head length)
-> Spoonhead sculpin, Cottus ricei

Figure C
Figure D

A joint initiative of BC Hydro, the BC Ministry of Environment, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada