Shorthorn Sculpin

Myoxocephalus scorpius

Shorthorn Sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius) is a cold-water marine sculpin of the North Atlantic and adjacent Arctic waters. It’s a bottom-dwelling ambush predator with a heavy head, two short occipital spines, and broad pectoral fins.

Saltwater

Shorthorn Sculpin reference image — Olivier Dugornay, cc-by, via Wikimedia Commons. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Identification points

Two short horn-like spines on the top of the head behind the eyes
Broad, fan-shaped pectoral fins and a blunt, heavy head
Mottled brown to olive body with a tapering tail and large bony head plates

Habitat

Rocky reefs, kelp beds, boulder fields, eelgrass edges, and mixed sand-gravel bottoms in shallow coastal water to deeper shelf habitats; often rests on the seabed and near structure.

Bait notes

Take natural baits such as ragworm, shrimp, small fish strips, squid, and crab pieces. Small jigs, soft plastics worked tight to bottom, and baited sabiki-style rigs can also work.

Behavior

A sit-and-wait predator that feeds on small fish, crustaceans, worms, and mollusks. It is most active on or near bottom, often striking quickly at prey moving close to cover.

Caution

Sharp head spines and gill covers can nick hands; handle carefully. It is not a major sport target and local rules may limit retention in some areas, so check regulations before keeping.

Fishing notes

Fish slow and low on the bottom around rock, weed, and drop-offs with light to medium tackle. Keep baits close to structure and use short hops or dead-sticking; it is generally an incidental catch rather than a targeted game fish.