Sea RavenorShorthorn Sculpin
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
Sea Raven
Shaggy sculpin with ragged, fringed fins and prickly skin, yellow to brick red; inflates its belly when boated.
Sea raven, next to shorthorn sculpin: ragged fringed fins.
Shorthorn Sculpin
Bulky cold-water sculpin with short cheek spines and warty skin.
Shorthorn sculpin, next to sea raven: clean fins, stockier.
Side by side
| Sea Raven | Shorthorn Sculpin | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Hemitripterus americanus | Myoxocephalus scorpius |
| Also called | — | Daddy sculpin |
| Waters | Inshore | Inshore |
| Heaviest state record | 6 lb 4 oz · New Hampshire (2024) | 2.84 lb · Maine (2004) |
| On the table | Not eaten — release. | Not kept. |
| Rules of its own in | 0 states | 0 states |
Rules for
Every state, both fish
| State | Sea Raven: size · bag · season | Shorthorn Sculpin: size · bag · season |
|---|
In the app
Point the camera at the fish and Chum names it before you take the picture, sea raven or shorthorn sculpin, with the right rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask
How do you tell sea raven from shorthorn sculpin?
Sea Raven: Shaggy sculpin with ragged, fringed fins and prickly skin, yellow to brick red; inflates its belly when boated. Shorthorn Sculpin: Bulky cold-water sculpin with short cheek spines and warty skin. Shorthorn sculpin, next to sea raven: clean fins, stockier. Sea raven, next to shorthorn sculpin: ragged fringed fins.
Which gets bigger, sea raven or shorthorn sculpin?
Sea Raven. The heaviest state record we hold is 6 lb 4 oz in New Hampshire; the heaviest shorthorn sculpin record is 2.84 lb in Maine.
Which is better to eat, sea raven or shorthorn sculpin?
Sea Raven: Not eaten — release. Shorthorn Sculpin: Not kept.