Norwegian record Shorthorn sculpin: 867 g

About Shorthorn sculpin

The shorthorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius) is the largest and most common sculpin in Norway and occurs along the entire coast. It has a big, flattened head covered in spines and knobs, large pectoral fins and a body that tapers sharply towards the tail. Its mottled brown, grey or greenish colouring gives excellent camouflage, and breeding males become brightly coloured with pale spots on the belly. Most are 15–30 cm, though it can reach about 60 cm, growing largest in the north. It lives on all kinds of bottom, usually from the shore down to 25–30 m, but much deeper further north. A sit-and-wait predator, it swallows small fish, crustaceans and worms. Spawning happens in shallow water from December to March, and the male guards the egg clumps among the weed. Sculpins take almost any bait near the bottom. It looks fierce but is not venomous, and it is good to eat. Norwegian Red List 2021: Least Concern (LC).

Sources: Artsdatabanken, Store norske leksikon, Wikipedia

• Habitat: Saltvann
• Best month: April

See the species guide

Biggest Shorthorn sculpin in FishComp

94 g (11 % of the record) by Dag Rune Kvittem. See the catch

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.