How have Lake Baikal sculpins adapted to different habitats within the lake?

Sculpins in Lake Baikal have adapted to exploit virtually all available habitats within the lake, ranging from shallow coastal waters to extreme depths. These adaptations are primarily observed in the families Cottocomephoridae and Comephoridae.1

• Benthic Adaptations: Many benthic (bottom-dwelling) species are specialized to specific types of lake bottoms and depth ranges. While some remain in deep water year-round, others exhibit seasonal behavior, migrating into coastal waters during the spring and remaining there throughout the warm season.1
• Pelagic Adaptations: Species in the family Comephoridae, known as Baikal cods, are primarily pelagic. They have adapted to life in open water, with some species inhabiting depths of up to 1,000 meters. These fish perform daily vertical migrations to follow their prey, which consists mainly of pelagic crustaceans.1
• Feeding Specializations: The sculpins have evolved to exploit diverse food resources; benthic forms feed largely on copepod crustaceans, while inshore species may consume chironomid and caddisfly larvae.1