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Reticulate Sculpin, Cottus perplexus
		Appearance and Identification: · Maximum size 110 mm SL, resemble riffle and marbled sculpins · Dorsal fins broadly joined, narrow mouth · Preopercular spines: (1-4), usually (2) visible · Prickling variable, axillary patch present · Coloration: body covered with wavy lines and patches of dark pigment, checkerboard pattern on pectoral fins, dark blotch on back of 1^st dorsal · Fin rays/spines: 1^st dorsal 7-8 spines, 2^nd dorsal 18-20 rays, pectoral 13-16 rays, anal 13-16 rays
Life History:
		Reticulate sculpins are abundant in the slow moving reaches of coastal headwater streams. In California their distribution is limited to several streams that are part of an Oregon-bound watersheds. Favorable habitat for reticulate sculpin includes riffles in small streams with water temperatures that don’t exceed 20°C. Though these fish prefer rubble or gravel substrate, they will shy to stream margins and silty pools in the presence of other sculpin species. Reticulate sculpins have a tolerance for high temperatures and moderate salinities, leaving them as the sole sculpin species in streams with such conditions. They are capable of living in water conditions that include temperatures of 30°C and salinities of 18 ppt. The diet of reticulate sculpins is made up of mostly aquatic invertebrates such as mayflies, stoneflies, beetles, caddisflies, and chironomid midges. They reach sexual maturity early in life but fail to reach large sizes. On average a 4 year old fish might only measure 64 mm SL. Reticulate sculpin spawn in March through May when water temperatures have reached a suitable range of 6-7°C. Male sculpins create nests in gravel or cobble substrate where several females may deposit 35-315 eggs each. Nests are created in swiftwater reaches where other species of sculpins are absent and in slow-water when competitors are present. Male sculpins guard the nests and the larval fish till the fry are capable of surviving alone. Young sculpin spend the early part of their life swimming along the bottom in slow water.
Links to Other Research
	Here's a list of California watersheds where Reticulate Sculpin may be found. © 2003 - Regents of the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Communication Services E-Mail Web Master ANR Non-Discrimination Statement