Cottus paulus | Pygmy Sculpin


The Pygmy Sculpin is found only in Coldwater Spring in Alabama.  Given their spring dwelling they spawn year round. Coldwater Spring is a constant 61-64 degrees Fahrenheit year round. Due to its very restricted range it is Federally listed as Critically Endangered.


Pygmy Sculpins have male guarded nests that many different females can add to. Males of this species get almost black with an orange dorsal fin and come out of their cave to dance for the females and entice them back to their nest. In 2019 CFI obtained a number of these to develop captive rearing protocols and potentially keep them in an ark population. We successfully bred them and look forward to continue to working with these cute little fish.