NANFA-- Unidentified Sculpin

Phobos1969_at_aol.com
Tue, 03 Sep 2002 03:33:42 -0400

Its me, Jon, the guy dedicated to the Pygmy Sculpins of Coldwater Creek, Anniston, AL. While observing the spring and the creek I keep seeing a group of three larger sculpins usually followed by several pygmy sculpins.. At first I thought the larger ones were just older Cottus Paulus, because of the strong resemblance in shape and coloring. I figured they were being followed by their young. But thanks to Jim Williams at the USGS Florida Carribean Science Center, I found out there are other species of sculpin in this creek. Now, the pamphlet Jim sent me, containing info from a 1968 study, says they found Cottus carolinae zopherus along with Cottus pygmaeus (paulus). I haven't been able to find any info on this fish. Pictures I have been able to locate of plain old Cottus carolinae look nothing like what I see in the creek. They are similar in size (4-7 inches or so) and color patters are similar (tan with dark brown bands) but the fins are way different. And the mouth a
nd eyes are different. Anybody have any ideas as to what this fish is?
/-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
/"Unless stated otherwise, comments made on this list do not necessarily
/ reflect the beliefs or goals of the North American Native Fishes
/ Association"
/ This is the discussion list of the North American Native Fishes Association
/ nanfa_at_aquaria.net. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or get help, send the word
/ subscribe, unsubscribe, or help in the body (not subject) of an email to
/ nanfa-request_at_aquaria.net. For a digest version, send the command to
/ nanfa-digest-request_at_aquaria.net instead.
/ For more information about NANFA, visit our web page, http://www.nanfa.org