Norwegian record Alpine bullhead: 20 g

About Alpine bullhead

The alpine bullhead (Cottus poecilopus) is a small freshwater sculpin with a big, broad head and a body that tapers towards the tail. It is mottled brown on top for camouflage and almost white underneath. The pelvic fins are long and marked with dark spots or bands. The species lives across much of northern Europe and Asia. In Norway it is found in the south-east, above all in the Glomma river system and its tributaries, as well as in the Halden and Trysil watercourses, and in the Signaldalen and Reisa rivers in the north. It lives on stony and gravel bottoms in cold, fast rivers and along lake shores, usually hidden under stones. It is mostly active at night, feeding on insect larvae, small crustaceans and occasionally fish eggs. Spawning is in spring, and the male guards the eggs beneath a stone. Alpine bullheads rarely exceed 12 cm and are not angling targets. Norwegian Red List 2021: Least Concern (LC).

Sources: Artsdatabanken, Store norske leksikon, Wikipedia

• Habitat: Ferskvann
• Best month: Juli
• Red list status: LC (2021)

See the species guide

Biggest Alpine bullhead in FishComp

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How to register a Norwegian record

1. Norwegian sport-fishing records are registered with Villmarksliv, not with FishComp. Read the rules before you do anything else with the fish.
2. Records are based on weight and approved by a jury. You give the weight and length, where it was caught, the gear you used and any witnesses.
3. Keep your photos and notes from the catch. Logging it in FishComp does not register a record.