Species profile
Mosshead Sculpin
Clinocottus globiceps
Identify Mosshead Sculpin (Clinocottus globiceps) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app.
At a glance
Mosshead Sculpin (Clinocottus globiceps) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species present across the CatchRules coverage area but without species-specific bag, size, or season rules tracked in our regulatory dataset.
Confirmed by 1,103 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with California, Oregon, and British Columbia the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Named for the dense tuft of cirri crowning its distinctively large, rounded head.
- Ranges from Alaska south to central California in rocky intertidal tidepools.
- Typically 2 to 4 inches long with superb camouflage among encrusting algae.
- Tolerates the wide temperature and salinity swings typical of exposed intertidal pools.
Where Mosshead Sculpin are seen
Background
Clinocottus globiceps, commonly known as the mosshead sculpin or globe-headed sculpin, is a species of fish in the family Cottidae, native to the northeastern Pacific.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Mosshead Sculpin article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Mosshead Sculpin?
Mosshead Sculpin (Clinocottus globiceps) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species present across the CatchRules coverage area but without species-specific bag, size, or season rules tracked in our regulatory dataset.
What is the scientific name for Mosshead Sculpin?
Mosshead Sculpin is Clinocottus globiceps.
Are there fishing rules for Mosshead Sculpin?
Mosshead Sculpin does not currently have published fishing rules in CatchRules' curated jurisdictions. Identification, range, and habitat are still tracked above.
How can I identify Mosshead Sculpin?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Mosshead Sculpin along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.