Longhorn SculpinorSea Raven
Two fish anglers mix up. Here is what separates them, and what each one’s rules are in your state.
How to tell them apart
Longhorn Sculpin
Bottom-grabber with LONG cheek spines (mind your hands), big fanned pectorals, and banded fins.
Longhorn sculpin, next to sea raven: clean-edged fins, long cheek spines.
Sea Raven
Shaggy sculpin with ragged, fringed fins and prickly skin, yellow to brick red; inflates its belly when boated.
Sea raven, next to longhorn sculpin: ragged fringed fins.
Side by side
| Longhorn Sculpin | Sea Raven | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus | Hemitripterus americanus |
| Also called | Hacklehead | — |
| Waters | Inshore | Inshore |
| Heaviest state record | — | 6 lb 4 oz · New Hampshire (2024) |
| On the table | Not kept — the cod trip's bait stealer. | Not eaten — release. |
| Rules of its own in | 0 states | 0 states |
Rules for
Every state, both fish
| State | Longhorn Sculpin: size · bag · season | Sea Raven: size · bag · season |
|---|
In the app
Point the camera at the fish and Chum names it before you take the picture, longhorn sculpin or sea raven, with the right rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask
How do you tell longhorn sculpin from sea raven?
Longhorn Sculpin: Bottom-grabber with LONG cheek spines (mind your hands), big fanned pectorals, and banded fins. Sea Raven: Shaggy sculpin with ragged, fringed fins and prickly skin, yellow to brick red; inflates its belly when boated. Sea raven, next to longhorn sculpin: ragged fringed fins. Longhorn sculpin, next to sea raven: clean-edged fins, long cheek spines.
Which is better to eat, longhorn sculpin or sea raven?
Longhorn Sculpin: Not kept — the cod trip's bait stealer. Sea Raven: Not eaten — release.