Overview
Devilfish is a common name for fish in the genus Myoxocephalus, a group of sculpins in the family Cottidae. Most species are marine, though a few live in freshwater northern lakes. The flesh is lean and mild, with a firm texture.
Origin and history
The genus Myoxocephalus is distributed across cold northern waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic oceans, as well as in some northern freshwater lakes. Some freshwater species are known, including Myoxocephalus quadricornis (the fourhorn sculpin) and M. thompsonii (the deepwater sculpin). The common name “devilfish” is applied loosely and may refer to other spiny-headed fish in different regions, creating some ambiguity.
Varieties and aliases
- Fourhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus quadricornis)
- Deepwater sculpin (Myoxocephalus thompsonii)
- Various marine sculpins in the genus