CR

Neocottus thermalis

Unknown

Overview

Neocottus thermalis is a species of ray-finned fish belonging to the family Cottidae, the typical sculpins. It was described by Valentina Grigorievna Sideleva in 2002. It is a freshwater, deep water-dwelling fish endemic to Lake Baikal, in Russia. It is known to dwell at a depth range of 430 to 480 metres.

Neocottus thermalis faces severe threats from habitat degradation and thermal pollution affecting its specialized hot spring environment. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it vulnerable to any changes in water temperature, chemistry, or flow patterns. Human activities including geothermal development and water extraction pose direct risks to the delicate thermal ecosystem this sculpin depends upon.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species is endemic to thermal springs and associated warm water habitats, requiring specific temperature ranges and water chemistry conditions. It inhabits shallow, warm spring pools and outflow channels with stable thermal conditions.

Wetlands (inland)· majorWetlands (inland) - Permanent freshwater lakes· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recovery

Other threatened species in COTTIDAE

EN

Cottus transsilvaniae

Unknown
EN

Vit Sculpin

Cottus haemusi

Unknown
EN

Procottus gotoi

Unknown
EN

Savoie Sculpin

Cottus sabaudicus

Unknown

Threatened in Russia

VU

Lepiota echinella

Unknown
EN

Lyophyllum deliberatum

Unknown
Horned GrebeVU

Horned Grebe

Podiceps auritus

Declining
VU

Large Tree-chernes

Dendrochernes cyrneus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Neocottus thermalis classified as Critically Endangered?
Neocottus thermalis is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Neocottus thermalis faces severe threats from habitat degradation and thermal pollution affecting its specialized hot spring environment. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it vulnerable to any changes in water temperature, chemistry, or flow patterns. Human activities including geothermal development and water extraction pose direct risks to the delicate thermal ecosystem this sculpin depends upon.
Where does Neocottus thermalis live?
Neocottus thermalis occurs in Russia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Neocottus thermalis?
The main threats to Neocottus thermalis are 1.1, 9.1, 9.3.4, and ai-1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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