Bullhead  (Cottus gobio)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Range

The bullhead is widely distributed in England and Wales but in Scotland is only known from the Forth and Clyde catchments (7). Elsewhere, the species is found in Europe, but it does not have such a favourable status there, and so it is listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive (4).

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Habitat

Occurs in freshwater streams, rivers and lakes with hard stony substrates and shows a preference for fast flowing, shallow water bodies (7) (8). The large pectoral fins enable bullheads to hold their position in fast flowing water (5).

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