Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Sculpins (Cottidae)

Sculpins silhouette.

Sculpins are a large family with a worldwide distribution in marine and fresh waters. Sculpins have a flattened head, large frog-like mouth and eyes, a scaleless body, and large fan-shaped pectoral fins. They have two closely-spaced dorsal fins (one spiny, one soft), thoracic pelvic fins, a rounded tail fin and no anal spines. Two freshwater species exist in Connecticut, one native and one recently introduced.

Click on the species name below to learn more.

Slimy Sculpin (Cottus cognatus) - Native

8 cm slimy sculpin in a tank.

 

Knobfin Sculpin (Cottus Immaculatus) - Introduced

Large knobfin sculpin caught during stream survey.

Text and images adapted from Jacobs, R. P., O'Donnell, E. B., and Connecticut DEEP. (2009). A Pictorial Guide to Freshwater Fishes of Connecticut. Hartford, CT. Available for purchase at the DEEP Store.