Cottus chattahoochee Neely, Williams & Mayden 2007

Diagnosed from all congeners except Cottus tallapoosae by the combination of the following characters: modally eight infraorbital canal pores; five bones in the suborbital series; reduced palatine teeth; a flexible spine and four rays in the pelvic fin; preoperculomandibularcanals not fused at anterior rami of mandibles, with two pores at tip of chin; pectoral rays simple; preopercular armature well-developed with two or three spines; chin not mottled; and dorsal fins separate. Differs from Cottus tallapoosae on the basis of dermal prickling well-developed, consisting of a postpectoral patch and prickles on the area immediately adjacent to the anterodorsal part of the lateral line (vs. prickles absent or reduced);a complete lateral line (vs. usually incomplete); and moderate or wide saddles (vs. narrow ormoderate) (Ref. 72414).

Dorsal spines (total): 6 - 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 18; Analsoft rays: 11 - 14; Vertebrae: 29 - 32

Inhabits small streams with gravel or cobble substrate (Ref. 72414).

The Chattahoochee sculpin (Cottus chattahoochee) is a species of fish in the family Cottidae. It is found in the United States, inhabiting the Chattahoochee River, above the Fall Line in Georgia. It reaches a maximum length of 8.5 cm. It prefers rocky riffles of headwaters and creeks.