On 6/4/03 2:51 PM, "Dave Neely" <rheopresbe_at_hotmail.com> wrote:
> Kevin,
>
> Mill Creek, a trib to the Willamette via the Yamhill River, flows through
> Stewart Grenfell Park. There's at least four species of sculpins in that
> general vicinity, including Cottus asper, Cottus beldingii, Cottus
> perplexus, and Cottus rhotheus. There's a form of Cottus bairdii in the
> upper Willamette, and another weird thing in Gales Creek, but neither are in
> the Yamhill... and they don't look anything like published photos of
> "bairdii." The four species in your area are actually relatively easy to
> tell apart... with a bit of practice.
>
> Cottus rhotheus has a really narrow caudal peduncle (the base of the tail),
> and the dark bands on the back are narrow and very distinct. The head is
> very broad, and the chin is usually variegated with dark grey on creamy
> white. The first dorsal fin is usually streaked or has a median black bar.
>
> Cottus beldingii has a relatively deep caudal peduncle, wide saddles, and
> <usually> has two dark spots in the first dorsal fin.
>
> Cottus perplexus and Cottus asper both have a single dark spot at the rear
> of the first dorsal fin, but Cottus asper is (at least in that part of the
> Willamette) heavily prickled and has a really long-based anal fin with from
> 19-23 rays, and a much broader head and larger mouth.
>
> There's other characters to look at, but they involve sacrificing the fish
> (or at least making it very unhappy...)
>
> Hope this helps,
> cheers,
> Dave
>
>
>> I live close to the Portland area. I found the fish in a stream at a park
>> just off of Hgwy 18. The park name is Grenfell park, the name of the steam
>> escapes me at the moment. I will ask my wife when I see her and will let
>> you
>> know. As for a description, it looks very similar to the pictures I have
>> seen on the Cottus Bairdi. The eyes do look different on it though.
>> Unfortunately I have had some trouble finding good site with pictures of
>> the
>> Oregon sculpins. I am hoping to go there this weekend and get a picture of
>> it if I can talk my friend into loaning me his digital camera while I go
>> wading in the water. LOL hopefully I can convince him I won't drop it. I
>> will get all the info I can. I just can't think of the darn name of the
>> stream.
>>
>> Thanks
>> Kevin
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