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Canada => Ice Fishing Ontario => Topic started by: Digem1 on Feb 18, 2018, 08:03 AM

Title: What is this minnow?
Post by: Digem1 on Feb 18, 2018, 08:03 AM

We had a perch cough this up at the wolfe lake howl yesterday. We seemed to think it was a Sculpin, however no one could say for sure. Any help would be appreciated.
(https://s9.postimg.cc/w6a7zf317/Minnow1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/w6a7zf317/)

(https://s9.postimg.cc/7ps24ya0b/Minnow2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/7ps24ya0b/)

Title: Re: What is this minnow?
Post by: Fry Flier on Feb 18, 2018, 08:54 AM

Goby..... Pretty much through the Province now. Invasive species.


http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/round-goby-fish-hamilton-harbour-1.4006195

Title: Re: What is this minnow?
Post by: flyfisherdude on Feb 18, 2018, 09:09 AM

I also think it's a sculpin but it is not easy to distinguish round gobies from sculpins. Apparently, the distinction is in the pelvic fins:
http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/ais/gobies_invade

If you search google images for 'sculpin goby' you see a few side by side comparisons; nearly identical. Even if it isn't a goby, it is likely just a matter of time before they spread through local lakes.

Good side by side photo here, bottom right image: https://www.northeastans.org/online-guide/species-information.html?SpeciesID=19

Title: Re: What is this minnow?
Post by: Digem1 on Feb 18, 2018, 02:39 PM

It is a tricky one. Stumped everyone we asked. Did have a funny little fin on it's underside as well.

Title: Re: What is this minnow?
Post by: Chuck Enwinde on Feb 19, 2018, 02:15 AM

Quote from: Digem1 on Feb 18, 2018, 02:39 PM

It is a tricky one. Stumped everyone we asked. Did have a funny little fin on it's underside as well.

Goby's have fused pectoral fins.  It looks almost like a suction cup.  Sculpins have two distinct pec fins.  Without a shot of the underside and knowing nothing of the body of water it came from my guess is sculpin.   

Title: Re: What is this minnow?
Post by: captain54 on Feb 23, 2018, 02:56 PM

Sculpin. Without a doubt.

Title: Re: What is this minnow?
Post by: minnook on Feb 23, 2018, 03:06 PM

yep sculpin

Title: Re: What is this minnow?
Post by: Digem1 on Feb 23, 2018, 04:48 PM

They can't be all that common are they? Never seen them in minnow traps or other fish before.

Title: Re: What is this minnow?
Post by: rdhammah on Feb 23, 2018, 05:10 PM

sculpin. gobies do not have the horns behind the eyes