The longspined bullhead was first formally described as Cottus bubalis in 1786 by the Swedish biologist Bengt Anders Euphrasén with its type locality given as Bohuslän in Sweden.

[4] The longspined bullhead is a small fish with a thick, tapering body and a large head and resembles the shorthorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius).

It has a variety of colours ranging from shades of brown or olive green, with cream blotches and four dark, vertical bands.

[7] Bullhead are predators that will eat prawns, molluscs and small fish such as gobies and blennies.

Breeding takes place in early spring and fertilisation is internal, the eggs are laid in algae and are guarded by the adults.