(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species sculpin, longhorn
Species Id M010150
Date 26 AUG 96

TAXONOMY

NAME - sculpin, longhorn

OTHER COMMON NAMES - Long-spined sculpin, Hacklehead, Toadfish, Bullhead, Common sculpin, Gray sculpin and Fr: Chaboisseau a dix-huit epines

ELEMENT CODE -

CATEGORY - Fish

PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - ,

CLASS AND SUBCLASS - Osteichthyes,

ORDER AND SUBORDER - Perciformes,

FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - Cottidae,

GENUS AND SUBGENUS - Myoxocephalus,

SPECIES AND SSP - octodecemspinosus,

SCIENTIFIC NAME - Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus

AUTHORITY - Mitchill, 1815

TAXONOMY REFERENCES - 258

COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
A study has suggested the existence of clinal trends in meristic and
morphological characters. Another study has proposed a hiybrid (M.
octodecemspinosus x M. scorpius) for an unusual M. octodecemspinosus caught
off Newfoundland *258*.

Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species sculpin, longhorn
Species Id M010150
Date 26 AUG 96

STATUS

Coded Status
Migrant
Commercial/industrial
See Comments

REFERENCES FOR STATUS - 258

COMMENTS ON STATUS -
The longhorn sculpin is a year-round resident of coastal waters, moving into
deeper waters in winter and returning to shallows in spring *258*.

Of no measurable economic importance in Canada. In New England it has been
taken with 'trash fish' and processed for fish meal and oil, and used in the
manufacture of dog and cat food; it is handled similarly in Canada *258*.

Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Distribution
Species sculpin, longhorn
Species Id M010150
Date 26 AUG 96

DISTRIBUTION

Distribution - 1 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS

HABITAT - MARINE

REFERENCES FOR HABITAT - 258

LAND USE -
Water

REFERENCES FOR LAND USE - 258

COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The longhorn sculpin is a year-round resident of coastal waters, moving
into deeper waters in winter and returning to shallows in spring. It was
reported common in the shallow waters of the Bay of Fundy and Nova Scotia
to depths of 127 m. In the southern part of its range the species moved
offshore in summer and onshore in winter. A study noted movement inshore
in Block Island Sound, RI, in November through February. Another study
observed similar movements off southern New England and noted males and
females did not undertake seasonal migrations synchronously since males
were more dominant in the catches during warm weather and females more
abundant in winter catches. It noted the seasonal movements may be the
resulant of a cycle of endocrine activity. On the Scotian Shelf and Bay of
Fundy, distribution during the summers of 1970-74 was generally restricted
to shallow water, especially on Sable Island Bank. It was suggested that
distribution was determined mainly by depth, but temperature might also be
responsible since the main concentrations were in warmer, shallow areas of
the northern part of Sable Island Bank and eastern Banquereau Bank. It was
among the most abundant of the non-commercial fishes in the area and heavy
catches occurred. Preferred depth range was 53-90 m on the Scotian Shelf.
In the northern St. Lawrence drainage the longhorn sculpin was found in
water temperatures of 0.5-19 oC *258*.

ANIMAL/PLANT SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS -
Cormorant
Protozoans - 6 sp.
Myxosporidians - 3 sp.
Nematodes - 2 sp.
Hirudineans - 4 sp.
Ichthyophonus hoferi
Monogenean (Gyrodactylus nainum)

REFERENCES FOR SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS - 258

COMMENTS ON SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS -
Predation and Competition: Little information available. In the Bay of
Fundy, specimens over 25 long have been observed in cormorant stomachs.
Predation is likely to be minor because of the longhorn sculpin's spiny
characteristics and its avoidance behavior in erection of the opercular
spines. Man, during the early years of the trash fishery of New England, had
probably the greatest impact on its numbers *258*.

Parasites and Disease: A study listed ecto- and endoparasites from this
sculpin in the Canadian Atlantic. Its list included six species of
protozoans, three myxosporidians, two nematodes, and four hirudineans
(leeches). Another study noted the longhorn sculpin was a new host for the
parasite Ichthyophonus hoferi, a parasitic fungus found in kidney tissues
from specimens caught in Gulf of Maine waters. The monogenean Gyrodactylus
nainum was described from gills and fins of this scuplin collected August
and September 1969 at Nain Harbour, Labrador. Light infoection by blood
Habitat Associations - 1 parasites in specimens examined from the Labrador-Newfoundland area was
reported *258*.

Habitat Associations - 2 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species sculpin, longhorn
Species Id M010150
Date 26 AUG 96

FOOD HABITS

TROPHIC LEVEL -
CARNIVORE

REFERENCES FOR TROPHIC LEVEL - 258

LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Detritus Not Specified
General Crustaceans Not Specified
General Malacostraca Not Specified
General Molluscs Not Specified
General Squid, Octopus Not Specified
General Invertebrate Cordates Not Specified
General Sea Squirts Not Specified
General Osteichthyes Not Specified
General Clupeiformes Not Specified
General Perciformes Not Specified
General Salmoniformes Not Specified
General Atheriniformes Not Specified
Important Malacostraca Not Specified
Important Crustaceans Not Specified

REFERENCES FOR GENERAL FOOD - 258

REFERENCES FOR IMPORTANT FOOD - 258

COMMENTS ON FOOD -
The longhorn sculpin is a voracious carnivore. In addition to feeding on
refuse around wharves, it consumes a wide variety of crabs, shrimp,
molluscs, squid, sea squirts, and miscellaneous small fishes, including
herring, mackerel, smelt, sand lance, and silversides. An examination of
contents of over 500 stomachs in southern New England waters revealed that
dominant food items were the crab Cancer irroratus and amphipod Leptocheirus
pinguis *258*.

Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species sculpin, longhorn
Species Id M010150
Date 26 AUG 96

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS

G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae

LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Water Depth Preference: 200-500 ft.
G Water Depth Preference: Specified in Comments
G Water Temperature: Specified in Comments
G Water Temperature: Between 15-21 degrees C
G Water Temperature: Below 15 degrees C
E Relation to Substrate: Attached - normally sessile
E Relation to Substrate: Specified in Comments
E Substrate: Animals
E Substrate: Specified in Comments

REFERENCES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 258

REFERENCES FOR EGG ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 258

COMMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS -
The longhorn sculpin is a year-round resident of coastal waters, moving
into deeper waters in winter and returning to shallows in spring. It was
reported common in the shallow waters of the Bay of Fundy and Nova Scotia
to depths of 127 m. In the southern part of its range the species moved
offshore in summer and onshore in winter. A study noted movement inshore
in Block Island Sound, RI, in November through February. Another study
observed similar movements off southern New England and noted males and
females did not undertake seasonal migrations synchronously since males
were more dominant in the catches during warm weather and females more
abundant in winter catches. It noted the seasonal movements may be the
resulant of a cycle of endocrine activity. On the Scotian Shelf and Bay of
Fundy, distribution during the summers of 1970-74 was generally restricted
to shallow water, especially on Sable Island Bank. It was suggested that
distribution was determined mainly by depth, but temperature might also be
responsible since the main concentrations were in warmer, shallow areas of
the northern part of Sable Island Bank and eastern Banquereau Bank. It was
among the most abundant of the non-commercial fishes in the area and heavy
catches occurred. Preferred depth range was 53-90 m on the Scotian Shelf.
In the northern St. Lawrence drainage the longhorn sculpin was found in
water temperatures of 0.5-19 oC *258*.

COMMENTS ON EGG ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
The eggs are adhesive and are deposited in clusters on sponges including
Chalina sp. and in cavities on clear, hard bottom *258*.
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species sculpin, longhorn
Species Id M010150
Date 26 AUG 96

LIFE HISTORY

Reproduction: Spawning occurs during winter months in inshore areas; in
southern New England maximum spawning was said to take place from
mid-December to mid-January. Younger fish may spawn earlier in the season
than older individuals. The eggs are spherical, demersal, about 1.9-2.3 mm
in diameter, and adhesive and are deposited in clusters of sponges including
Chalina sp. and in cavities on clear, hard bottom. Females lay about 8000
eggs. The eggs vary in color from green, red, brown, to orange. Hatching
occurred 36-65 d after fertilization *258*.

Growth: On hatching, prolarvae were 6.2-7.8 mm TL. The rate of growth was
observed to be seasonal, the greater part of the year's growth occurring
between May and August, especially during the first 3 yr. Growth rate is
greatest at this time. At age 1, the longhorn was about 5.5 cm long; at age
2 about 18 cm; at age 3 slightly over 21 cm; at age 5 a little over 27 cm;
and at age 9 just over 30 cm. Age determination was made from otoliths.
The longhorn sculpin attains sexual maturity during the third year of life.
It reaches a length of 45.7 cm but specimens over 35.6 cm long are rare
*258*.

Description: Body elongate, slender, tapering posteriorly to slender caudal
peduncle. One short, sharp spine behind upper part of gill opening. Head
blunt, heavy, flattened. One pair short nasal spines, 1 pair spines above
and behind eyes, and 1 pair well behind those on top of head, 3 spines on
preopercle, upper one long, at least four times as long as the one below it,
sharp, naked at tip, middle spine short, third spine turned downward, 2
sharp spines on upper corner of gill cover; one short, sharp spine behind
upper part of gill opening; mouth terminal, low on head; teeth on jaws and
vomer small; eye large, high on head. Gill rakers poorly developed.
Branchiostegals 6. Fins: dorsals, 2, first of 7-10 spines, second of 15-17
soft rays, somewhat rounded, no appreciable space between first and second
dorsals; caudal moderate, rounded; anal, 12-15 soft rays, located under
second dorsal; pelvics, 1 spine, 3 or 4 soft rays, located ventrally under
middle of base of pectoral; pectorals 16-19 soft rays, large, fan-like.
Scales absent or nearly so, skin naked, except lateral line marked by series
of smooth poorly calcified plates. Vertebrae 34-44. Size to 45.7 cm long.
Color variable, usually dark olive to pale greenish yellow or gray above,
merging to white below; usually with 3 or 4 indefinite, irregular crossbars,
sometimes broken into blotches; first dorsal sooty with irregular mottlings,
second paler with 3 or 4 dark crossbands; caudal and pectorals pale with 3-6
dark crossbands; anal light with irregular dark mottling *258*.

Predation and Competition: Little information available. In the Bay of
Fundy, specimens over 25 long have been observed in cormorant stomachs.
Predation is likely to be minor because of the longhorn sculpin's spiny
characteristics and its avoidance behavior in erection of the opercular
spines. Man, during the early years of the trash fishery of New England, had
probably the greatest impact on its numbers *258*.

(leeches). Another study noted the longhorn sculpin was a new host for the
parasite Ichthyophonus hoferi, a parasitic fungus found in kidney tissues
from specimens caught in Gulf of Maine waters. The monogenean Gyrodactylus
nainum was described from gills and fins of this scuplin collected August
and September 1969 at Nain Harbour, Labrador. Light infection by blood
parasites in specimens examined from the Labrador-Newfoundland area was
reported *258*.

LIFE HISTORY CODES -
Breeding/Spawning Season: January
Breeding/Spawning Season: December
Average Number of Offspring/Reproductive Effort: 1,00
Gestation/Incubation Period: 1-2 months
Gestation/Incubation Period: 3-4 months

REFERENCES FOR LIFE HISTORY- 258

Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species sculpin, longhorn
Species Id M010150
Date 26 AUG 96

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species sculpin, longhorn
Species Id M010150
Date 26 AUG 96

References

258 * Scott, W.B., M.G. Scott. 1988. Atlantic Fishes of Canada.
Canadian Bulletin of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (219) (ed.).
University of Toronto Press Toronto, Canada:731.

References - 1