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 Short-spined Bullhead
 

This fish in the photograph is alive.  It can survive for at least 10 minutes out of the water if it is kept moist. Photograph by Andy Horton

Common Name(s): Short-spined Bullhead, Greater Bullhead, Rout, Shorthorn Sculpin (America),  Sea Scorpion, Lesser-spined Bullfish, Plucker (Scotland). Scientific Name: Myoxocephalus scorpius Family: Cottidae  Usual Size: to 30 cm

Identification: A small fish with a stout body (flattened out wide about the same as it is high) with a head as large as the rest of its tapering body. Large cottid, or sculpin. This family of fish are usually regarded as ugly in appearance with a drab colour and this species has four short spines (two on each side, on the gill cover) that stick out when the fish is removed from the water. Usually in various shades of brown with large cream blotches. The pectoral fins are huge relative to the small squat body.  Similar species:  Taurulus bubalis is very similar in appearance. However, the two species can be readily distinguished because only T. bubalis has two white lappets on the corner of its wide mouth.  A specimen seen by Jane Lilley in 1998 had a very bold  near black body with two narrow beige bands across the body and the same narrow bands forming a triangle on the head.    Breeding:  Egg masses laid in shallow water attached to rocks from December to March. On the west coast of Scotland usually February & March.  Habitat: Shallow rocky areas, rarely intertidal  Food: A large expandable mouth will swallow fish as big as itself. Flattened crushing teeth so it cannot eat anything it cannot swallow whole.  Range: Shallower seas around the British Isles, commoner in the north.  English Channel, North Sea, Irish Sea.  Additional Notes: The book name of Sea Scorpion may be used by divers.  The names Short-spined Sea Scorpion, Father-lasher are book names. The first one may be used by divers, but I have never been able to trace the colloquial use of the second name. It used in Yarrell as one of many common names.  The Shorthorn Sculpin is the American name as this fish is found on both sides of the North Atlantic. More parasites: Leeches:  Heptacyclus myoxocephali Janusion scorpii Oceanobdella microstoma  Pisciola geometra Malmiana brunnea  Calliobdella lophii   Information wanted: Please send any records of this fish, with location, date, who discovered it, how it was identified, prevalence, common name and any other details to  Shorewatch Project EMail Glaucus@hotmail.com.  All messages will receive a reply.  Reports: The specimen in the photograph was caught in deep water off Shoreham, Sussex. 8 March 1999: Robert Morris caught a specimen nearly 30 cm in length and weighing an estimated 800 grams off Deal Pier. It was a sort of sandy olive base colour with brown stripes along the body and fins. Record British angling weight is at about 1210 grams from Whitley Bay, from the shore in 1982.    Shorewatch Project Report  Forms   Information supplied by  Andy Horton (British Marine Life Study Society)

History of Fishes  by William Yarrell,  two volumes   published by John van Voorst  1859