Cottus immaculatus Kinziger & Wood, 2010
Knobfin sculpin

Family:  Cottidae (Sculpins)
Max. size:  9 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  North America: USA (Current, Eleven Point, Spring and White river systems of the White River drainage in the Ozark Highlands of Missouri and Arkansas).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-19; Anal soft rays: 12-14. Distinguished from all other congeners, except Cottus hypselurus and Cottus caeruleomentum, by the blue chin and belly on spawning males. Differs from Cottus hypselurus by dorsal fin spines 8-9 (versus 6-7); pectoral fin rays 16-17 (versus 13-15); pigmentation of the ventral surface of the peritoneum weak (versus moderate to strong ); dorsal-fin union moderate to wide versus slight to moderate. Can be differentiated from Cottus caeruleomentum by caudal base band notched (versus non-notched); dorsal fins moderately to widely connected (versus slightly connected); pectoral fin rays 16-17 (versus 12-15); ventral surface of peritoneum weakly pigmented (versus moderately to strongly pigmented) (Ref. 83416).
Biology:  Found in cool to cold spring-fed creeks and rivers with cobble bottoms (Ref. 83416).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 05 August 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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