 The species has many English names that are used less frequently or in small parts of its range, including Arctic sculpin, daddy sculpin, European sculpin, father-lasher, goat sculpin, Greenland sculpin, guffy, horny whore, pig-fish, scully, scummy, short-spined sea scorpion and warty sculpin.It reaches maturity at in length and specimens from the Arctic and subarctic, which grow to the largest size, can reach up to .The fish has a squat appearance, a large spiny head and a tapering body.