This fish is one of four sculpins endemic to the Klamath Basin. Klamath Marbled Sculpin grow the largest and are the easiest to identify in the Upper Basin.

Species: Klamath Marbled Sculpin (Cottus klamathensis)
Location: Klamath Falls, OR
Date: March 10, 2018

My entire life, I’d known sculpins existed in the Klamath Basin. I’d seen them in the stomachs of the trout I’d occasionally kept, dead along the shoreline, and darting in and out of the shadows when I’d return from a last-light wade-fishing trip in the Link or Williamson Rivers.

But save for the Link, Klamath Basin rivers are all closed to use of bait (including artificials), so tsculpins never seemed feasible. Then, I discovered microfishing and a handful of viable microfishing spots nearby.

Suddenly, three new species of sculpin (a fourth was just recently described) were available to me.

***

I’d already counted Slender Sculpin caught by hand in my lifelist because “Hand” is a legal harvest method for them in Oregon. Up until March 2018, it was the only fish on my Lifelist not caught with a hook.

On that first night microfishing, I caught four of them. I’ve since caught dozens, as they’re both the most common and most readily-feeding sculpins in the area.

What I did not expect, however, was the Klamath Marbled Sculpin (previously just called Marbled Sculpin until a re-description of a markedly different population of fish found in and downstream of Lake Ewauna).

The comparatively massive sculpins had darted in and out of my vision before, but unlike the Slenders, they were always light-sensitive and more skittish than a nerd at his first party.

This fish was about five or six inches long and very fat.

I knew from the crude ID guide I’d had provided to me by local USFWS Biologist, Nolan Banish, that it was a Marbled Sculpin because of its smooth skin and

This is from an old field guide, and it was a find because apart from a single picture of a Marbled Sculpin from microfishing.com, there is no imagery online except what I’ve posted in my articles and now blog.

The Marbled complex (Klamath and Siskiyou Marbled Sculpin) were recently separated, but they are smooth, fat, and have joined dorsal fins with a dark spot at the rear of the first one.

The much more common Slenders have two distinct and separated dorsals. Klamath Lakes have joined dorsals but rough skin.

To make it clearer, I’ve made this handy chart:

Know Your Upper Klamath Basin Sculpins
Skin Dorsal Fins Dorsal Spot Body Type Mouth
Klamath Lake Sculpin Rough Joined No Normal Upward-Facing
Klamath Marbled Sculpin Smooth Joined Yes Thick Downward-Facing
Slender Sculpin Smooth Separated No Normal Downward-Facing

I don’t normally post pics of fish out of chronological order, but it may help here.

Klamath Lake Sculpin — Note the joined dorsal fin without a spot? The upward-turned mouth? I also wish you could’ve felt its rough skin. These are all signs of a Klamath Lake Sculpin.
Klamath Marbled Sculpin — I only have one picture of a Klamath Marbled Sculpin, but it’s all you need. Note the joined dorsal with a big black spot? The massive, downward-facing mouth? The body thick enough to be that of an Instagram model? It also had smooth skin.
Slender Sculpin — The photo tank was a gamechanger, folks. Note the separated dorsal fins? That with the smooth skin and no remarkable or unique features indicates Slender Sculpin.

Hope that helps. In the slightly paraphrased words of Ben Cantrell, “If I can get even one more species represented with a picture or description online, I’m happy.”

#SpeciesQuest // #CaughtOvgard

Read the next entry in #SpeciesQuest here:  Species #124 — Speckled Dace.

189 Replies

  1. Hi there, I discovered your blog via Google even as searching for a related matter, your web site got here up, it looks good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

  2. Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a blog website? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea

  3. I’m really impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to see a nice blog like this one nowadays..

  4. Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this website. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s tough to get that “perfect balance” between usability and visual appeal. I must say you’ve done a excellent job with this. In addition, the blog loads super quick for me on Chrome. Exceptional Blog!

  5. I haven’t checked in here for some time as I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are good quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂

  6. Great – I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your website. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs as well as related information ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Excellent task.

  7. Good day! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a outstanding job!

  8. Enjoyed looking at this, very good stuff, regards. “Hereafter, in a better world than this, I shall desire more love and knowledge of you.” by William Shakespeare.

  9. Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your article seem to be running off the screen in Ie. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know. The design look great though! Hope you get the problem resolved soon. Kudos

  10. I think this is among the so much significant information for me. And i am satisfied reading your article. However should commentary on few general issues, The website taste is perfect, the articles is truly nice : D. Excellent activity, cheers

  11. Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! By the way, how can we communicate?

  12. Hi, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!

  13. Вы можете изменить свою жизнь.
    ОПСУИМОЛОГ покажет вам, как это сделать.

    Опсуимолог усвоил все, чему учит, на собственном горьком опыте: сначала испортив собственную жизнь и по необходимости открыв инструменты и исследования, которые изменили жизнь и привели его туда, где он есть сегодня.

    Миссия Опсуимолога проста: поделиться проверенными инструментами, которые помогут вам создать лучшую жизнь. Загляните на сайт опсуимолога, и вы будете смеяться вместе, учиться и шаг за шагом создавать свою новую жизнь — свою лучшую жизнь.

    Простые советы опсуимолога, подкрепленные исследованиями, изменили жизни множества людей, и теперь он раскрывает вам все свои трудные секреты, веселые неудачи и интересные истории, чтобы вы могли изменить свою.

  14. Вы можете изменить свою жизнь.
    ОПСУИМОЛОГ покажет вам, как это сделать.

    Опсуимолог усвоил все, чему учит, на собственном горьком опыте: сначала испортив собственную жизнь и по необходимости открыв инструменты и исследования, которые изменили жизнь и привели его туда, где он есть сегодня.

    Миссия Опсуимолога проста: поделиться проверенными инструментами, которые помогут вам создать лучшую жизнь. Загляните на сайт опсуимолога, и вы будете смеяться вместе, учиться и шаг за шагом создавать свою новую жизнь — свою лучшую жизнь.

    Простые советы опсуимолога, подкрепленные исследованиями, изменили жизни множества людей, и теперь он раскрывает вам все свои трудные секреты, веселые неудачи и интересные истории, чтобы вы могли изменить свою.

  15. I?¦ll right away grasp your rss feed as I can not find your email subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Please let me understand so that I may just subscribe. Thanks.

  16. Hello very nice blog!! Guy .. Excellent .. Wonderful .. I will bookmark your blog and take the feeds also…I’m happy to find so many helpful information right here within the submit, we’d like develop extra strategies on this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .

  17. Undeniably consider that which you stated. Your favorite justification appeared to be at the internet the easiest factor to take note of. I say to you, I certainly get irked whilst other people think about worries that they plainly don’t recognize about. You managed to hit the nail upon the highest as well as defined out the entire thing with no need side-effects , people could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks

  18. I have been browsing on-line more than three hours as of late, but I by no means found any attention-grabbing article like yours. It?¦s lovely value enough for me. In my view, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you probably did, the internet will probably be much more useful than ever before.

  19. I haven’t checked in here for a while as I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are great quality so I guess I will add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂

  20. I will right away grab your rss feed as I can’t find your e-mail subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Please let me know so that I could subscribe. Thanks.

  21. Oh my goodness! a tremendous article dude. Thanks However I am experiencing difficulty with ur rss . Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anyone getting equivalent rss downside? Anybody who is aware of kindly respond. Thnkx

  22. Hello! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any issues with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing many months of hard work due to no back up. Do you have any methods to stop hackers?

  23. ProNerve 6 nerve relief formula stands out due to its advanced formula combining natural ingredients that have been specifically put together for the exceptional health advantages it offers.

  24. Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is fundamental and everything. But imagine if you added some great images or videos to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and videos, this blog could certainly be one of the very best in its field. Excellent blog!

  25. Magnificent website. Plenty of useful information here. I am sending it to several pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you on your sweat!

  26. The next time I learn a weblog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as a lot as this one. I imply, I do know it was my option to read, however I really thought youd have one thing fascinating to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you might fix in case you werent too busy searching for attention.

  27. Hey! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good success. If you know of any please share. Many thanks!

  28. This web site is really a walk-through for all of the info you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you’ll definitely discover it.

  29. I have recently started a website, the info you provide on this web site has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work. “Quit worrying about your health. It’ll go away.” by Robert Orben.

  30. Thanx for the effort, keep up the good work Great work, I am going to start a small Blog Engine course work using your site I hope you enjoy blogging with the popular BlogEngine.net.Thethoughts you express are really awesome. Hope you will right some more posts.

  31. Have you ever thought about publishing an e-book or guest authoring on other blogs? I have a blog based upon on the same ideas you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my subscribers would value your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e-mail.

  32. Nice post. I was checking constantly this weblog and I’m impressed! Extremely helpful info specifically the last phase 🙂 I handle such information much. I was seeking this particular information for a very long time. Thanks and best of luck.

  33. Thanks a lot for sharing this with all of us you really know what you’re talking about! Bookmarked. Please also visit my web site =). We could have a link exchange arrangement between us!

  34. Hmm it appears like your blog ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to everything. Do you have any suggestions for beginner blog writers? I’d definitely appreciate it.

  35. Very great post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to mention that I have truly enjoyed surfing around your weblog posts. In any case I will be subscribing on your rss feed and I’m hoping you write once more very soon!

  36. I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.

  37. Hey there are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you require any html coding expertise to make your own blog? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  38. I’ve been surfing online more than three hours these days, yet I never found any fascinating article like yours. It¦s lovely worth enough for me. In my view, if all site owners and bloggers made good content material as you probably did, the internet will be a lot more helpful than ever before.

  39. Hello there, simply changed into aware of your blog via Google, and found that it is truly informative. I am going to be careful for brussels. I’ll appreciate if you continue this in future. A lot of other folks will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  40. Hello there! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a team of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us beneficial information to work on. You have done a wonderful job!

  41. naturally like your web site however you have to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling issues and I in finding it very bothersome to inform the reality on the other hand I will surely come again again.

  42. I’ll immediately grab your rss feed as I can not find your email subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please let me know so that I could subscribe. Thanks.

  43. An impressive share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing slightly analysis on this. And he in reality bought me breakfast as a result of I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the deal with! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to debate this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If potential, as you turn into expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more details? It is extremely helpful for me. Large thumb up for this weblog post!

  44. I like this blog very much, Its a real nice situation to read and incur info . “What is called genius is the abundance of life and health.” by Henry David Thoreau.

  45. I am just commenting to make you understand what a perfect discovery my wife’s child enjoyed viewing the blog. She picked up lots of issues, including what it’s like to have a very effective helping character to let other folks quite simply completely grasp certain problematic issues. You really exceeded my expectations. I appreciate you for displaying such interesting, healthy, edifying as well as easy tips on the topic to Gloria.

  46. The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my apple ipad and tested to see if it can survive a forty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share it with someone!

  47. Just desire to say your article is as surprising. The clearness in your put up is just cool and i can suppose you’re a professional on this subject. Well along with your permission let me to seize your RSS feed to stay up to date with drawing close post. Thanks one million and please keep up the enjoyable work.

  48. I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself? Plz reply back as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to know wheere u got this from. thanks

  49. I just couldn’t depart your web site prior to suggesting that I actually enjoyed the standard information a person provide for your visitors? Is gonna be back often to check up on new posts

  50. You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!

  51. Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.

  52. Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.

  53. I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz answer back as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from. appreciate it

  54. I have been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts on this sort of area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this web site. Reading this info So i’m happy to convey that I’ve a very good uncanny feeling I discovered just what I needed. I most certainly will make sure to do not forget this site and give it a look regularly.

  55. Some truly good articles on this website, thank you for contribution. “It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer.” by E. B. White.

  56. I was curious if you ever thought of changing the page layout of your site? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?

  57. It is in reality a great and helpful piece of information. I am glad that you simply shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

  58. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You clearly know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your blog when you could be giving us something informative to read?

  59. Thanks for sharing superb informations. Your web site is very cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this blog. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for extra articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched everywhere and simply couldn’t come across. What a great site.

  60. naturally like your web-site however you need to take a look at the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling issues and I in finding it very bothersome to tell the truth however I will definitely come again again.

  61. I was just seeking this information for a while. After six hours of continuous Googleing, finally I got it in your site. I wonder what is the lack of Google strategy that do not rank this kind of informative web sites in top of the list. Generally the top web sites are full of garbage.

  62. It’s really a great and helpful piece of information. I am glad that you shared this useful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.

  63. Hi! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice from an established blog. Is it very difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast. I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any points or suggestions? Thank you

  64. What i don’t realize is actually how you are not really much more well-liked than you might be now. You’re so intelligent. You realize therefore significantly relating to this subject, made me personally consider it from numerous varied angles. Its like women and men aren’t fascinated unless it’s one thing to accomplish with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs nice. Always maintain it up!

  65. Hi there! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this website? I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform. I would be great if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

  66. Some really fantastic posts on this internet site, thank you for contribution. “I finally know what distinguishes man from other beasts financial worries. – Journals” by Jules Renard.

  67. Unlock the potential of your pineal gland with the potent Pineal XT Dietary supplements serve as a gateway to expanding one’s range of expression, and Pineal gland support supplements, in particular, can elevate mental and spiritual capabilities. Pineal XT vitamins offer a pathway to endless joy, prosperity, health, and love. These supplements are designed to bolster the pineal gland’s function, enhance overall body performance, and boost energy levels. It stands as a premier alternative for reducing the impact of fluoride, pollutants, and the natural aging process.

  68. Simply desire to say your article is as amazing. The clearness to your put up is just nice and that i can think you are an expert in this subject. Fine along with your permission allow me to snatch your RSS feed to keep up to date with coming near near post. Thank you 1,000,000 and please keep up the gratifying work.

  69. Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is fundamental and all. Nevertheless think of if you added some great images or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and videos, this website could undeniably be one of the greatest in its niche. Good blog!

  70. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is wonderful blog. A great read. I’ll definitely be back.

  71. I was just searching for this information for some time. After six hours of continuous Googleing, finally I got it in your website. I wonder what’s the lack of Google strategy that do not rank this kind of informative sites in top of the list. Usually the top web sites are full of garbage.

  72. I used to be suggested this blog by means of my cousin. I am not positive whether this put up is written by him as no one else recognise such certain about my problem. You are wonderful! Thanks!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *