Description
The bull rout has a large, slightly flattened head with various spines. The gill covering and lateral line have short spines as well. Can easily be confused with the long spined bullhead (Taurulus bubalis) which is very variable in colour too. The long spined bullhead can be identified by the flap of skin in the corner of the mouth.
It feeds on small fish and crustaceans. Spawning time is in the winter, when pink eggs are lead on hard substrata. The eggs are guarded by the male, that will lay its head in the eggs to provide them with fresh water.

Size
In Holland they usually reach a maximum length of 300 mm.

Colour
The colour is very variable, but often grey-brown to green-brown.

Habitat
Usually intertidal till 30 metres.

Distribution
North Atlantic ocean from Greenland to the New York coast and from Iceland to the Bay of Biscay.