Agonus cataphractus

Agonus cataphractus, commonly known as the hooknose, pogge or armed bullhead, is a species of fish in the family Agonidae, close to the scorpion fish. It is the only species of the genus Agonus.

Agonus cataphractus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Scorpaeniformes
Family:
Agonidae
Genus:
Agonus

Species:
A. cataphractus
Binomial name
Agonus cataphractus
Synonyms

Cottus brodamus
Cottus cataphractus

It is characterized by being covered in hard, bony plates, which limit the flexibility of its body. It reaches up to 21 centimetres (8.3 in) in length, but is typically found at sizes of 10–15 centimetres (3.9–5.9 in). It features numerous barbells beneath a flattened head.

Distribution

The species is found in the coastal seas of Norway, the British Isles, the Faeroes and the North Sea. It lives at depths between 2 and 20 metres, but migrates to waters down to 270m in winter.

Behaviour

Hooknoses feed on small crustaceans, molluscs, brittle stars and worms. They spawn from February to May in the bases of kelps and whelks. The eggs take a long time to hatch. Very little else is known about the biology of this species.[2]

References
  1. NatureServe (2013). "Agonus cataphractus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2014.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. The Pocket Guide to Saltwater Fishes of Britain and Europe
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