Turkestan sculpin - Cottus spinulosus
The Turkestan sculpin, like the Turkestan loach, is another exotic species of our ichthyofauna.
It has 7-8 rays in the first dorsal fin, VII 16-17 in the second, and 11-14 in the anal fin. There are 30-35 pores on the lateral line. The back and sides are covered with small spines. The back is grayish-brown with small dark spots, which are also present on the fins. It reaches 10 cm in length and weighs 18 g. Males are larger than females.
The sculpin feeds on insect larvae (mayflies, caddisflies, chironomids, beetles), as well as amphipods. It spawns in portions from early May to July inclusive. Experts claim that the males of this species are a model of paternal care—they guard the laid and fertilized eggs until the larvae hatch.
The very name of these fish indicates that they are somehow connected to special living conditions. And this is true: sculpins live right on the bottom, on sandy-stony substrates, and they are hard to notice as they are quite immobile.
They do not form large aggregations, apparently due to the poor food base of mountain rivers.
In Kyrgyzstan, they are found in the Naryn River, Toktogul Reservoir, and Kara-Darya.
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