Barje Sculpin

Can be distinguished from other species of Cottus in the Adriatic basin and Danube drainage by the combination of the following characters; no distinct transverse bands on pelvic fin; prickling on body under pectoral fin, very rarely present shortly behind pectoral fin; depth of caudal peduncle 25-31% HL, 1.0-1.7 times in its length; body depth at origin of second dorsal fin 17-23% SL; interorbital distance 0.7-1.4 times in eye diameter; 15-16 1/2 rays in second dorsal fin; 12-13 1/2 anal-fin rays; last anal-fin ray connected to body by a membrane along 1/3-1/2 of its length; no membrane attaching pelvic-fin base to body; membrane of first dorsal fin usually not reaching origin of second dorsal fin in females; dorsal head length 21-25% SL; predorsal length 35-40% SL; distance from tip to snout to origin of second dorsal fin 54-59% SL (Ref. 55856).

Analsoft rays: 12 - 13

Inhabits small streams to medium-sized rivers. Attains first sexual maturity at 2-4 years. Spawns in March-April (Ref. 59043).

Cottus metae is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Cottidae, the typical sculpins. It inhabits the upper Save River system in the Danube basin. It reaches a maximum length of 9.7 cm. It prefers small streams to medium-sized rivers. This species was described as a separate species from the European bullhead (C. gobio) in 2005 by Jörg Freyhof, Maurice Kottelat and Arne W. Nolte. The specific name 'honours the Slovenian biologist Meta Povž, in recognition of her assistance to the authors in a variety of projects.