Small prickles or spines are located behind the pectoral fin and its eyes are positioned high on the head and close together. Especially common in Lake Ontario and in waters in the Catskills and the Adirondacks, this fish is found in areas scattered across New York State. It is a bottom dweller and prefers cold, rocky streams and lakes with some shelter. Spawning occurs in stony creeks or lake shallows during the spring. The eggs are laid in nests built in rock crevices.
Male sculpins remain with the nest to protect the eggs and young.
Adult slimy sculpin eat a variety of organisms, including insect larvae, large bottom dwelling invertebrates, and some small fish. Slimy sculpins are an important prey fish for lake trout, brook trout, and northern pike. In addition, they are occasionally used as bait by anglers. The gizzard shad is New York's only true freshwater member of the herring family. Its deep body is generally silver with bluish upper sides and back.