Sculpins

Most sculpins live in salt water, but one freshwater species, the slimy sculpin, lives and thrives in the Jocko. It is the males of this species that select and guard the nest and the newly-hatched young.

Slimy Sculpin Profile
Identifying Slimy Sculpin

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Other Names

Scientific Name
Cottus cognatus

Common Names
Bullhead
Classification

The Cottidae is a family of fish that belongs to the Order Scorpaeniformes. Each species of the Cottidae is a type of sculpin. There are about 300 species that are mostly marine and found in shallow coastal waters in the northern and arctic regions. Freshwater representatives of this family are few and include the slimy sculpin.
Average Size

The typical slimy sculpin in the Jocko River is 3 inches. They can reach 4 or 5 inches.
Life History

Slimy sculpins may become sexually mature at 2 years. They are spring spawners. The males select spawning sites on the undersides of rocks. The female is courted, enters the nest, and deposits a mass of adhesive eggs upside down on the ceiling of the nest. The male then guards the nest and newly-hatched young sculpins with vigilance. Incubation is in 30-40 days at 48-50° F.
Diet

The food of slimy sculpins is comprised of mostly immature aquatic insects and invertebrates, but also includes any small fish available.
Habitat

The habitat of slimy sculpins is in the rocky riffles of cold, clear streams, but it is sometimes found along the rubble beaches of lakes, especially near the mouths of inlet streams.
Status

Slimy sculpin populations are doing well.

Sculpins

Most sculpins live in salt water, but one freshwater species, the slimy sculpin, lives and thrives in the Jocko. It is the males of this species that select and guard the nest and the newly-hatched young.

Slimy Sculpin Profile
Identifying Slimy Sculpin

Click on a topic to learn more

Other Names

Salish Name
The Salish name for largescale sucker is Sl̓aw̓s

Scientific Name
Catostomus macrocheilus

Common Names
Coarsescale sucker
Classification

Suckers belong to the Catostomidae family. Members of this family are found in North America, east central China, and eastern Siberia. Largescale suckers are members of the Catostomus genus.
Average Size

The typical largescale sucker in the Jocko River is 14 inches, although they can reach 22 inches.
Life History

Largescale suckers become sexually mature in 4 to 5 years, although some males mature in 3 years. They spawn in April and May, migrating upstream, to reach gravel riffles with strong currents. Some spawn along lake margins. Their eggs stick to the bottom and hatch in 2 weeks.
Diet

Largescale suckers are bottom feeders. They eat aquatic insect larvae, crustaceans, snails, algae, detritus, etc. Young suckers feed primarily on plankton.
Habitat

Largescale suckers live in lakes and in pools and runs of medium to large rivers. They are usually found in shallow water, but sometimes can be found as deep as 80 feet. Fry move to shallows to feed by day and into deeper water at night.
Status

Largescale sucker populations are doing well.
Other Facts

The life span of a largescale sucker may be up to 11 years. Predators of young suckers include fish and fish eating birds, and in shallow waters, adults are preyed on by large mammals like bears and birds like eagles and ospreys.

Largescale suckers have decreased in abundance below Libby Dam due to colder water temperatures delaying spawning.

Sculpins

Most sculpins live in salt water, but one freshwater species, the slimy sculpin, lives and thrives in the Jocko. It is the males of this species that select and guard the nest and the newly-hatched young.

Slimy Sculpin Profile
Identifying Slimy Sculpin

Click on a topic to learn more

Other Names

Salish Name
The Salish name for largescale sucker is Sl̓aw̓s

Scientific Name
Catostomus macrocheilus

Common Names
Coarsescale sucker
Classification

Suckers belong to the Catostomidae family. Members of this family are found in North America, east central China, and eastern Siberia. Largescale suckers are members of the Catostomus genus.
Average Size

The typical largescale sucker in the Jocko River is 14 inches, although they can reach 22 inches.
Life History

Largescale suckers become sexually mature in 4 to 5 years, although some males mature in 3 years. They spawn in April and May, migrating upstream, to reach gravel riffles with strong currents. Some spawn along lake margins. Their eggs stick to the bottom and hatch in 2 weeks.
Diet

Largescale suckers are bottom feeders. They eat aquatic insect larvae, crustaceans, snails, algae, detritus, etc. Young suckers feed primarily on plankton.
Habitat

Largescale suckers live in lakes and in pools and runs of medium to large rivers. They are usually found in shallow water, but sometimes can be found as deep as 80 feet. Fry move to shallows to feed by day and into deeper water at night.
Status

Largescale sucker populations are doing well.
Other Facts

The life span of a largescale sucker may be up to 11 years. Predators of young suckers include fish and fish eating birds, and in shallow waters, adults are preyed on by large mammals like bears and birds like eagles and ospreys.

Largescale suckers have decreased in abundance below Libby Dam due to colder water temperatures delaying spawning.