7. Life cycle

7. Life cycle
a. How does it reproduce?
b. How many offspring does it produce? How often?
c. Any larval forms? If so, what is the lifestyle of the larvae?
9. Research: What kind of studies on this organisms are marine biologists doing? a. Give citations to two articles about your organism. National Geographic, Scientific American, Science News, and so on are fine. You do not need to find any primary (peer-reviewed) articles for this class.
Please note that you need to provide a summary of the research being done — not just give the names of the papers.

Do not copy or paraphrase any of your sources; this work should be your OWN writing. Your submission will be evaluated through Turnitin for plagiarism.

 

 

Common and Scientific Names
The fathead sculpin is a marine species, which is found in the marine waters of the Northern part of the Pacific Ocean. The fathead sculpin can survive under saline water up to 34%.  Its scientific name is Megalocottus Platycephalus. This scientific name was given by Pallas in 1814. After seeing its fathead species, I tend to think that both the common and the scientific names have been originated from this characteristic. It is the only well-known member of its type.
Physical Characteristics
An adult flathead sculpin species is approximately 42 centimeters long. It has a relatively longer lower jaw. The species slightly takes the shape of a fish, though its pectoral fins are large and has no tail fins. In fact, it has a long tail, which is almost half its body length. It feeds on invertebrates and, in some regions, it is a predator. Its complexion ranges from brown to dark, based on its age. Older fathead sculpins are darker, whereas the young ones are browner.
Fathead sculpins do not have streamlined bodies like most fish species. As per its common name, it has a flattened head on the top.  This fish species have no swim bladder, which is an internal sack used by marine creatures to control and locate their position in the water. They are likely to face challenges finding their relative position in the water.
I put in a random search for marine species and came across this one; I had an interest to research on the Fathead sculpin since its head looks as unique as its name. Its population is very low, and it is also an endangered species due to its small body size and it also lacks a swim bladder.

 

Overview and Habitants

Fathead sculpins are fish that belong to the fish family Psychrolutidae. In this fish family, around 40 species have been recognized so far including the tadpole sculpin and Psychrolutes Paradoxus. However, fathead sculpin is the largest of all reaching about 30 cm and over one meter in length and with over 11.3 kgs especially the cabezon that are found in the Pacific waters. They are found in both fresh water and salty marine habitants. They are mainly found in Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans. The adults mainly live in deep sea waters floor between 100 meters to around 2,800 meters deep. The fatheads, (as they are generally called), which include the blobfish are deep-sea fish that are found in New Zealand and Australia. Some people have argued that their large head and the pink gelatinous flesh assume a sad humanlike appearance when out of water.

Habitant Requirements and Movements

Fatheads are not used in large movements since their habitants have the food that they desire. However, their movements are mainly characterized by weather changes especially temperatures which are brought about by climate change. However, their habitants are not very broad and hence, have restricted movements. Some of the species that are widespread in fresh waters of Mississippi basin are the muddlers that have their habitants in the gravel bottoms. These have huge pectoral fins that are shaped like the butterfly wings and they use them to clang on the stones. Some creep on the ocean floors, restricted movements which have fins that are modified into the wings and the talons. Researchers have argued that fatheads are usually cosmopolitan especially in the arctic and the northern waters.

Feeding Habits

Fatheads mainly feed on the scrabs and other small fishes that are found at the bottom of the sea waters where they form their habitants. They also get their nutrients from the crustaceans, sea urchins, and the mollusks. They feed through the mouth that is covered by the nose- like appendage hanging over the mouth. Although there are no major researches to prove this, it is believed that they drift above the floor of the sea while they passively eat food particles. It has been found that they would eat whatever comes floating their way as long as it would not need much effort to catch. It should be known that they have a thick fat layer that does not only help in movements but also in withstanding the high- pressure environment at the bottom of the sea. They are flabby, lack scales, and have a very loose skin. They do not have swim bladders since they would likely burst from high pressure and  they use their fatty bodies for buoyancy.

Predators

Fatheads are not edible by human beings and there is not much research showing any other threat for the fish. Their main predators are mainly fishermen who have been the leading extinction of the fish. However, these fishermen often catch them as a mistake while deep- sea fishing for other sources of sea foods. Unfortunately, fatheads die as soon as they are exposed to the air implying that they cannot be returned back to the sea. Their fatty appearance and the areas they live mean that they can hardly be attacked. Due to its energy saving habits and lazy movements, they have been described as laid- back fish by scientists.

 

 

Works Cited

Burr, Brooks M, and Melvin L. Warren. Freshwater Fishes of North America. Baltimore: The     Johns Hopkins University Press, 2014. Print.

Nelson, Joseph S. Fishes of the World. Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley & Sons, 2006. Print.