SCULPINS - TINY RIVER MOSTERS?
A sculpin is actually a fish that looks like a frog and a fish mated and gave birth to a tiny water monster. Or, as my momma says, “it’s so ugly it’s cute!”. I’m pretty sure my momma hasn’t seen a sculpin, so I’m technically speaking out of turn here…. Sculpins are benthic (bottom dwelling) fish in the Family Cottidae. They are very well suited for living in Ozark streams. Sculpins have large pectoral fins with grippers on the bottom to help hang on to the stream bottom. They also lack a swim bladder. A swim bladder is like an internal floaty that many fish have. Like a pool floaty, a swim bladder makes it easier for a fish to remain in the water column without using as much energy to swim. The lack of a swim bladder, allows the sculpin to stay at the bottom of Ozark streams. Sculpins have large mouths (which I why I think they look “froggish”) and can swallow prey almost as large as themselves. Mostly the feed at night by ambush. Maybe if there is ever a “Tiny River Monsters” TV show the sculpin could have an episode or two?
