[4] It is a freshwater fish that dwells under stones or in holes in the mud at a depth range of 0 to 800 m (0 to 2,625 ft).

[4] From the late winter to the spring it breeds at depths of 5 to 30 m (16 to 98 ft).

[6] It has a red spotted or banded pattern on a light background.

[6] The red sculpin resembles two of its close relatives, the smaller P. gurwici and the larger P.

[7][8] The red sculpin's diet consists of zoobenthos, especially amphipods but also oligochaetes.