Lumpsucker

Lumpish -   Scientific name - Cyclopterus lumpus

Conservation status

Lumpsucker is a ball-like lumpy fish with a special sucker that enables them to stick onto rocks.

It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List as it is directly targeted for fishing due to its commercial value - it is sold as luxury caviar in the EU as well as being exported to Asia,

The IUCN state: ‘Areas where this species is exploited show an average reduction of 35–50% decline’ However in other locations, there are no clear declines (e.g., North Sea and Baltic Sea)

Overview

Lumpsuckers spend most of their time towards the bottom of the ocean living below the low tide mark in fairly deep water, but return to rocky shores in spring to breed. They are bluish-grey in colour, though the males have an orangey belly during the breeding season. They grow to around 30 to 50 cms.

The male plays an important part when it comes to protecting eggs. He stays with the eggs for over a month until they hatch,  fanning them with his tail to keep them well oxygenated. His sucker is particularly useful in stopping him being washed away  as the eggs are often laid in the rough surf zone. 

Lumpsuckers eat crustaceans, mollusks, worms, and other small organisms that live in coastal environments. They also consume jellyfish. They are prey to predators including cod, pollack, flatfish, seabass, and even larger fish and mammals like halibut, dogfish, sharks, whales, and dolphins. Seals and otters also eat Lumpsuckers.

Lumpsuckers can be found around the coast of Britain – most commonly in Scotland and Northern England. They are the largest fish to be found in rock pools.

Sources

 IUCN - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/18237406/45078284

Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclopteridae

Wildlife Trust - https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/marine/fish-including-sharks-skates-and-rays/lumpsucker

Marine Biological Association - https://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/1531