Pacific spiny lumpsucker

The Pacific spiny lumpsucker (Eumicrotremus orbis) is a species of bony fish in the family Cyclopteridae.

Pacific spiny lumpsucker
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Scorpaeniformes
Family: Cyclopteridae
Genus: Eumicrotremus
Species:
E. orbis
Binomial name
Eumicrotremus orbis
Günther, 1861
Synonyms
  • Cyclopterus orbis
  • Eumicrotremus togedango
  • Lethotremus vinolentus

Description
Lumpsucker with visible suction fin

Pacific spiny lumpsuckers are a globular-shaped fish that typically measures 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 cm) in length, though the most common size is 1 inch (2.5 cm).[1][2][3][4] It has a maximum known length of around 5 to 7 inches (13 to 18 cm).[4]

They have a wide mouth with large lips, and protruding eyes.[4] The fish also has a squared dorsal fin, rounded caudal fin, and thin, transparent pectoral fins.[4]

The lumpsucker's pelvic fins have evolved into a large, fringed suction cup, allowing it to attach to surfaces.[4][1][5][3] This sucker also compensates the fish for its lack of gas bladder.[4] Because of their large, rounded shape with small fins, Pacific spiny lumpsuckers are ineffective swimmers and are most commonly found attached to solid objects.[1][3][4]

They do not have scales.[4] Instead, the body of the fish is covered in cone-shaped plates, called tubercles.[1][3][5][4] Females have more tubercles than males.[4]

The Pacific spiny lumpsucker is seen in many colors, including brown and green, often with yellow or orange highlights.[4] Females are dull green in color, while males are dull orange to reddish brown.[6][3]

Behavior

Pacific spiny lumpsuckers are often found alone in nature.[4] When disturbed, they swim about aimlessly, hindered by their inefficient swimming.[4] Instead, the fish relies on effective camouflage to avoid detection from predators.[4]

They are considered harmless to humans.[2][6] In fact, they are known to eat out of the hands of divers.[4]

Distribution and habitat

Pacific spiny lumpsuckers are found from northern Washington state, especially Puget Sound, to the Aleutian Islands of Alaska.[1][3] They can also be found in the Bering Sea, the Chukchi Sea and around northern Japan.[2][3][4]

This species inhabits a wide variety of habitats, including eelgrass beds, rocky reefs, kelp patches, and other algae growth.[1][5][4] They are also found around shallow bays and docks.[1][3] The fish lives in near-shore waters to a depth of 480 to 500 feet (150 to 150 m).[1][5][4]

Ecology
Pair of Pacific spiny lumpsuckers attached to a rock.

Diet

Pacific spiny lumpsuckers feed on slow crustaceans, polychaete worms, and mollusks on the sandy or muddy sea floor.[4]

Reproduction

The species is known to spawn in shallow, warmer waters between the months of July and October.[4] The females lay large, spherical, orange-colored eggs on rocks, in sheltered holes.[4] Females typically lay around 200 eggs at a time in the nest and the male fertilizes them.[6][4] After the eggs are laid, the male attaches himself to a nearby surface where he cares for the eggs by defending them from predators and circulating water over them with his fin.[4]

Predators

Pacific cod, sablefish, marine sculpins, and lancefish are known predators of pacific spiny lumpsuckers.[4] Crabs, sea stars and small fishes prey on lumpfish eggs.[4]

Climate change

While the Pacific spiny lumpsucker has not yet been evaluated by the IUCN Red List, climate change may pose a threat to the species.[4] The fish relies on shallow waters for breeding and eelgrass for habitat.[4] Rising sea levels and warmer water temperatures threaten these habitats, and the species' survival.[4]

References
  1. Paul., Humann (1996). Coastal fish identification : California to Alaska. Hall, Howard, 1949-, McDaniel, N. G. (Neil Glenn), 1949-, DeLoach, Ned. Jacksonville, FL: New World Publications. ISBN 1878348124. OCLC 35233771.
  2. "Eumicrotremus orbis summary page". FishBase. Retrieved 2018-08-18.
  3. "About Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker". Oregon Coast Aquarium. Retrieved 2021-07-05.
  4. "Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker". Aquarium of the Pacific. Retrieved 2021-07-06.
  5. N., Eschmeyer, William (1983). A field guide to Pacific Coast fishes of North America : from the Gulf of Alaska to Baja, California. Herald, Earl Stannard. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0395331889. OCLC 8668331.
  6. Arita, George S. (1969). "Sexual Dimorphism in the Cyclopterid Fish Eumicrotremus orbis". Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada. 26 (12): 3262–3265. doi:10.1139/f69-312. ISSN 0015-296X.
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