Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Cyclopteridae

Cyclopteridae is a family of ray-finned fishes in the suborder Cottoidei, commonly known as lumpfishes or lumpsuckers, characterized by their globose bodies, spiny tubercles covering the skin, and a distinctive ventral disk formed by modified pelvic fins that enables attachment to substrates. These fish typically measure 2 to 61 cm in length, lack a , and possess two short dorsal fins (the first with 4–8 spines and the second with 8–13 rays), a short anal fin with 7–13 rays, and 19–29 pectoral fin rays. Native to cold northern waters of the , North Atlantic, and North Pacific oceans, they inhabit benthic environments on continental shelves and upper slopes, with some species occurring pelagically in deeper waters. The family comprises approximately 6 to 7 genera and 28 to 30 species, with the highest diversity in the North Pacific; notable genera include (containing the commercially important C. lumpus). Taxonomically, Cyclopteridae belongs to the superfamily Cyclopteroidea within the order , distinguished from closely related families like Liparidae (snailfishes) by fewer vertebrae (23–29 versus 36–86), the presence of a caudal peduncle, and dorsal and anal fins. The arrangement and structure of tubercles serve as key diagnostic characters, while other features include tubular nostrils in two pairs, small conical teeth, and six branchiostegal rays. Ecologically, cyclopterids are mostly demersal, feeding on a diet that varies by habitat: benthic species consume polychaetes, crustaceans, and mollusks, whereas pelagic forms prey on medusae and ctenophores. Spawning occurs in shallow coastal waters, where males guard the adhesive eggs until hatching, a that enhances survival in their often turbulent environments. In defense, they can inflate their bodies to appear larger. Economically, like the lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) are harvested for their , processed into , supporting fisheries in regions such as and . Common names for the family include "lumpfishes" in English, "poules de mer" in , and "peces grumo" in , reflecting their rounded, lump-like appearance.

Taxonomy

Genera

The family Cyclopteridae is currently recognized as comprising six valid , distributed across three subfamilies as proposed in a comprehensive morphological phylogenetic published in 2017. This , based on 32 osteological and external character states analyzed cladistically, confirmed the of the family and established the subfamilies Cyclopterinae, Liparopsinae, and the newly defined Eumicrotreminae, superseding earlier groupings that treated some as separate tribes or included additional synonymized taxa. Further refinements occurred in 2020 with the erection of a new genus within Eumicrotreminae, supported by detailed comparisons of dermal spinules, fin rays, and cranial . Subfamily Cyclopterinae , 1831 includes the Linnaeus, 1758, which is monotypic with C. lumpus, the largest member of the family (up to 61 cm standard length) distinguished by its robust body, high count (15–17 rays), and a prominent sucking disc formed by fused pelvic fins; the generic name derives from the Greek kyklos (circle or ring) and pteron (fin or wing), alluding to the circular adhesive structure. Subfamily Liparopsinae Garman, 1892 contains the single genus Aptocyclus de la Pylaie, 1835, which is monotypic with A. ventricosus characterized by smooth skin lacking prominent tubercles, a low pectoral ray count (24–28), and inflated abdomens in some specimens due to enlarged urinary bladders; the likely combines hapto (to fasten or glue) and kyklos, referencing the ventral adhesive disc, though the exact derivation remains uncertain. Subfamily Eumicrotreminae Oku, Imamura & Yabe, 2017, comprising spiny lumpsuckers with tuberculate or spinulose skin, includes four genera. Cyclopsis Popov, 1930, is monotypic (C. tentacularis) and notable for its oval body profile in longitudinal section, numerous small cephalic tentacles, and 13–14 dorsal fin rays; the name fuses Greek kyklos (circle) and opsis (appearance), highlighting the rounded form. Eumicrotremus Gill, 1862, is the most diverse with 23 species, featuring restricted gill openings, prominent body tubercles or spines, and variable disc morphology; etymologically, it combines Greek eu- (very or good), mikros (small), and trēma (hole), referring to the diminutive gill aperture. Lethotremus Gilbert, 1896, is monotypic (L. muticus) lacking lateral line pores and dermal spines, with 11–12 dorsal rays and a reduced disc; the name derives from Greek lḗthō (to forget or escape notice) and trēma (hole), denoting the absence of sensory pores. Finally, Proeumicrotremus Voskoboinikova & Orlov, 2020, is monotypic (P. soldatovi) and positioned as morphologically intermediate within the subfamily, with finer spinules, a distinct pectoral fin lobe, and 12 dorsal rays; it was segregated from Eumicrotremus based on unique combinations of cephalic and disc traits, with the prefix pro- (before or forward) indicating its basal placement. Prior classifications, such as those in the early , recognized additional genera like Cyclopteropsis and Georgimarinus, but these have been synonymized into Eumicrotremus following the 2017 revisions and subsequent morphological studies, with no major molecular-based reclassifications altering the generic roster as of 2025. The as a whole is placed within the suborder Cottoidei of the order .

Species

The family Cyclopteridae comprises approximately 30 valid species distributed across six genera, primarily in northern hemisphere cold waters, with recent taxonomic revisions reflecting phylogenetic analyses and new discoveries in the North Pacific. The following catalog lists all recognized species, including scientific names, authorities, notable synonyms where applicable, and unique distribution notes; recent additions or splits are highlighted based on updates through 2025.

Genus Cyclopterus

  • Cyclopterus lumpus Linnaeus, 1758 (type species of the family); synonyms include Cyclopterus minutus Pallas, 1769, Cyclopterus caeruleus Mitchill, 1815, Lumpus vulgaris McMurtrie, 1831, and Lumpus anglorum DeKay, 1842; distributed in the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans.

Genus Aptocyclus

  • Aptocyclus ventricosus (Pallas, 1769); endemic to the North Pacific, from Japan to the Bering Sea and Alaska.

Genus Cyclopsis

  • Cyclopsis tentacularis Popov, 1930 (originally described as Cyclolumpus asperrimus Tanaka, 1912); restricted to the Sea of Japan.

Genus Eumicrotremus

  • Eumicrotremus spinosus (Fabricius, 1776); synonyms include Cyclopterus spinosus Fabricius, 1776 and Lethotremus armouri Fowler, 1914; Arctic and North Atlantic Oceans.
  • Eumicrotremus orbis (Günther, 1861); synonyms include Cyclopterus orbis Günther, 1861 and Microtremus orbis (Günther, 1861); North Pacific, noted as one of the smaller species.
  • Eumicrotremus gyrinops (Garman, 1892); North Pacific, Bering Sea to Alaska.
  • Eumicrotremus awae (Jordan & Snyder, 1902); synonym Lethotremus awae Jordan & Snyder, 1902; smallest species in the family (maximum length ~2.5 cm), endemic to Japan.
  • Eumicrotremus phrynoides Gilbert & Burke, 1912; synonym Cyclopterocottus phrynoides (Gilbert & Burke, 1912); North Pacific, off Alaska.
  • Eumicrotremus lindbergi (Soldatov, 1930); North Pacific, Sea of Japan.
  • Eumicrotremus terraenovae Myers & Böhlke, 1950; western North Atlantic, off Newfoundland.
  • Eumicrotremus barbatus (Lindberg & Legeza, 1955); synonym Cyclopteropsis barbatus Lindberg & Legeza, 1955; North Pacific, Sea of Okhotsk.
  • Eumicrotremus schmidti Lindberg & Legeza, 1955; North Pacific, Sea of Okhotsk and Kuril Islands.
  • Eumicrotremus tartaricus Lindberg & Legeza, 1955; North Pacific, Sea of Japan.
  • Eumicrotremus fedorovi Mandrytsa, 1991; North Pacific, off Kuril Islands.
  • Eumicrotremus asperrimus (Tanaka, 1912); Japan Sea.
  • Eumicrotremus derjugini Popov, 1931; North Pacific, Bering Sea.
  • Eumicrotremus andriashevi Permitin, 1956; North Pacific, Sea of Okhotsk.
  • Eumicrotremus eggvinii Koefoed, 1956; North Atlantic, Iceland waters.
  • Eumicrotremus tokranovi (Voskoboinikova, 2015); synonym Microancathus tokranovi Voskoboinikova, 2015; recent addition, North Pacific.
  • Eumicrotremus jindoensis Lee & Kim, 2017; recent addition from taxonomic review of dwarf species, western North Pacific off South Korea.
  • Eumicrotremus uenoi Kai, Ikeguchi & Nakabo, 2017; recent addition from taxonomic review of dwarf species, western North Pacific off Japan.
  • Eumicrotremus jordani Soldatov, 1929; synonym Cyclopteropsis jordani Soldatov, 1929; North Pacific, Sea of Japan to Bering Sea.
  • Eumicrotremus popovi Soldatov, 1929; synonym Cyclopteropsis popovi Soldatov, 1929; North Pacific, off Russia.
  • Eumicrotremus inarmatus (Mednikov & Prokhorov, 1956); synonym Cyclopteropsis inarmatus Mednikov & Prokhorov, 1956; North Pacific, Sea of Okhotsk.

Genus Lethotremus

Genus Proeumicrotremus

  • Proeumicrotremus soldatovi (Popov, 1930); recently split into new genus (2020) based on phylogenetic revision; North Pacific.

Physical characteristics

Morphology

Members of the Cyclopteridae family possess a distinctive nearly , characterized by a thickset, globose form that tapers posteriorly. Their skin is scaleless and adorned with bony tubercles or spines, often arranged in rows, which serve as a key taxonomic feature and provide structural reinforcement. A defining is the adhesive disc, formed by the fusion and modification of the pelvic fins into a sucking structure that facilitates attachment to substrates. The is small and , featuring conical teeth arranged in narrow bands or a few rows on the jaws. These lack a gas bladder and exhibit short gill openings that lie entirely above the pectoral fin base, with slight extensions below in some genera like . The pectoral fins are notably circular, a trait reflected in the family name Cyclopteridae, derived from the Greek words kyklos (circle) and pterygion (fin). The comprises two small structures: the first with 4–8 spines and the second with 8–13 soft rays; the anal fin is similarly reduced, with 7–13 soft rays. Internally, cyclopterids lack Mauthner cells—large reticulospinal neurons typically responsible for rapid escape responses in teleosts—yet they exhibit a functional C-startle response mediated by alternative cells.

Size and coloration

Members of the Cyclopteridae family exhibit a wide range of body sizes, with the smallest species, Eumicrotremus awae, reaching a maximum standard length of just 2 cm, while the largest, Cyclopterus lumpus, can attain total lengths exceeding 60 cm and weights up to 9.5 kg. Sexual dimorphism is pronounced in size, particularly in C. lumpus, where females grow larger than males, attaining maximum lengths of 40–61 cm compared to 28–40 cm for males; maturity occurs at lengths of approximately 25–31 cm for males and 28–40 cm for females. Growth is rapid in the early stages, with juveniles starting at 6–36 mm and potentially doubling in length during their first summer before slowing after maturity, which occurs around 28–40 cm. Juveniles are generally smaller and more translucent or lightly colored to blend with pelagic environments, adopting a default light green hue with —darker dorsum and lighter belly—for when swimming. They can rapidly adjust skin color to match substrates like green-yellow within 3–15 minutes through changes in melanophore activity, enhancing . Adult coloration is typically drab and variable across blues, greens, browns, and grays to facilitate on rocky or algal substrates, with species like C. lumpus displaying pale grey to blue-green tones. Sexual dimorphism extends to coloration, as seen in Eumicrotremus orbis, where mature females are pale green and males dull orange to reddish-brown. During breeding, males often become brighter, with C. lumpus individuals turning reddish on the underside and featuring orange-red fins against a dark blue body to signal readiness. These seasonal shifts aid in mate attraction and are reversible post-spawning.

Ecology

Habitat and distribution

Cyclopteridae, commonly known as lumpsuckers or lumpfish, are distributed across the cold waters of the , northern North Atlantic, and northern North Pacific, with the greatest occurring in the North Pacific . This family inhabits primarily marine environments, where most species are benthic, residing on continental shelves and upper slopes, while a few are pelagic in deeper waters. The depth range for Cyclopteridae spans from shallow coastal areas to significant depths on the continental slope, with records extending up to 1,700 m, as observed in species such as the smooth lumpsucker (Aptocyclus ventricosus). Benthic members of the family prefer rocky or muddy bottom substrates, which provide through their mottled coloration and allow attachment via the modified pelvic forming a sucking disk. Recent observations indicate shifts in distribution due to ocean warming, such as increased abundance of Cyclopterus lumpus in the (as of 2024). Habitat preferences influence diet, with benthic species primarily consuming prey available on or near the seafloor.

Diet

Members of the Cyclopteridae family are primarily opportunistic feeders, with diets varying by , life stage, and habitat association, encompassing both benthic and pelagic prey. Benthic species, such as those in the genus Eumicrotremus, predominantly consume sessile or slow-moving including worms, crustaceans (e.g., mysids, gammarids, and amphipods), and mollusks found on or near the . For instance, Eumicrotremus spinosus includes polychaetes, crustaceans, and oikopleura in its diet. Certain species exhibit pelagic feeding behaviors, targeting slow-moving or gelatinous organisms such as medusae, ctenophores, and hyperiid amphipods. Adult Cyclopterus lumpus often prey on these items alongside small fish like and sand lance, as well as demersal elements including polychaetes and sea squirts. Similarly, Eumicrotremus spinosus shows a predominantly pelagic dominated by the amphipod Themisto libellula, comprising up to 100% of stomach contents in some individuals. Juveniles across genera typically consume smaller, more accessible items such as larvae, harpacticoid copepods, isopods, and mites, reflecting ontogenetic shifts toward larger prey with growth. For Cyclopterus lumpus fry, early diets include planktonic copepods and amphipods, transitioning to broader invertebrate assemblages as they develop. Feeding is facilitated by a small , often supplemented by scavenging opportunistic items. Prey availability is influenced by habitat structure, such as seaweed aggregations that concentrate both benthic and planktonic sources.

Behavior and reproduction

Behavior

Members of the Cyclopteridae family exhibit limited locomotion capabilities, characterized by poor swimming efficiency due to their globose body morphology. Instead, they primarily rely on a ventral adhesive disc, formed by modified pelvic fins, to attach firmly to substrates such as rocks, , or artificial structures, enabling them to remain stationary against currents and waves. When movement is necessary, individuals employ pectoral fins to crawl along the seafloor or perform short hops, detaching briefly before reattaching nearby. This sedentary strategy conserves energy in their cold-water habitats. For defense, cyclopterids demonstrate an escape response known as the C-start, where the body bends into a C-shape followed by a rapid propulsion away from threats, despite lacking Mauthner cells typically associated with this behavior in other fishes; this results in a delayed but functional reaction. The adhesive disc also aids in predator avoidance by allowing secure attachment to surfaces, reducing vulnerability during rest. Activity patterns in Cyclopteridae are predominantly benthic and sedentary, with individuals spending much of their time attached to the and exhibiting limited social interactions, often appearing solitary outside periods. Some species display diel variations, allocating more time to the at night and the during the day, suggesting potential nocturnal . Overall, non-reproductive behaviors remain poorly studied, with significant knowledge gaps regarding daily interactions and environmental influences, prompting calls for further research to elucidate these patterns.

Reproduction

Members of the Cyclopteridae family, commonly known as lumpsuckers, exhibit during spawning, which typically occurs in shallow coastal waters. Fecundity varies widely by and size, from a few hundred eggs in smaller species to 50,000–400,000 in larger ones like Cyclopterus lumpus across one or two batches per season. These egg masses are pinkish and gelatinous, facilitating oxygenation and protection within the nest site prepared by males. Following spawning, males provide extensive by guarding the egg masses and fanning them with their pectoral fins to ensure adequate oxygenation and remove debris, a that lasts until . Hatching occurs after 4 to 8 weeks, depending on water temperature, with warmer conditions accelerating development (e.g., 25 days at 9.8°C versus 31 days at 6.4°C). Females depart the site immediately after spawning, leaving the males to tend the clutch exclusively. Upon hatching, larvae utilize their modified pelvic fins, forming an adhesive disc, to cling to rocks or in the nearshore environment, aiding survival during their pelagic phase. is reached at 4 to 6 years for larger species like the lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus), with females maturing around 5.6 years and males slightly earlier based on size thresholds. Spawning seasonality peaks in to across coastal North Atlantic regions, typically from to June, though it can extend to July in some areas like ; males exhibit guarding behavior during this period. High post-spawning mortality, particularly in males, has led to suggestions of semelparity in some species or populations within Cyclopteridae.

Human interaction

Economic importance

The family Cyclopteridae, particularly the species Cyclopterus lumpus (lumpsucker), holds economic significance primarily through commercial fisheries targeting its , which serves as an affordable substitute in international markets. Fisheries operate mainly in , , , and , where females are selectively harvested during the spring spawning season using gillnets. Annual catches of whole fish reached approximately 10,000 tons in the late 20th century, though landings of roe alone fluctuated between 2,000 and 8,000 tons from 1977 to 2016, with and accounting for over 80% of global production until 2000. Post-2013, and dominated with over 94% of roe landings, but catches have since declined due to and environmental factors. As of 2024, 's total allowable catch (TAC) for female lumpfish was advised at 2,760 tonnes (a 32% reduction from the previous year), while reported 1,521 tonnes of roe landings. Roe extraction occurs at sea immediately after capture to preserve quality, with fish gutted to remove the roe sacs, which are then placed in brine for mild salting and transport to processing facilities. Onshore, the roe undergoes de-salting in low-salt water (1.0–2.0%), blending with additives like colorants and preservatives, filling into jars, pasteurization at 65–71°C for microbial control, and vacuum-sealing for export. This industry peaked in the 1990s, driven by high demand for salted lumpfish roe in Europe and North America, with Iceland emerging as a leading exporter alongside Norway's contributions. The flesh of C. lumpus has secondary economic value, often processed into smoked or salted products for local consumption, though its bony texture limits broader appeal and market size. In Iceland, regulations since 2012 require landing of carcasses, yielding 30–70 tons annually for food use, a shift from historical discarding at sea. Additionally, wild-caught lumpsuckers play a growing role in as "" to control sea lice infestations in farms, particularly in since the early 2010s. Deployed juveniles graze on parasites, reducing chemical treatments and supporting 's dominant position in global production; usage escalated to millions of individuals annually by the late 2010s, though high mortality rates prompted shifts toward farmed to mitigate pressure on wild stocks. As of 2025, farmed lumpfish production has expanded, with research focusing on improving survival and welfare to sustain this role without further depleting wild populations. Intensive and harvesting has contributed to localized population declines across the North Atlantic.

Conservation status

The conservation status of species within the Cyclopteridae family varies, with many remaining unevaluated or classified as by the IUCN due to limited data on their distributions and population sizes. For instance, Eumicrotremus spinosus is listed as , reflecting gaps in assessment for several lesser-known members of the family. The lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus), the most commercially significant species, is regionally assessed as Near Threatened in under the IUCN criteria, primarily owing to ongoing since its 2013 evaluation. In , it is designated as Threatened by COSEWIC (2017), with recent assessments confirming persistent declines. Globally, however, C. lumpus is not evaluated, highlighting the need for broader assessments across the family's approximately 30 species. Key threats to Cyclopteridae include intensive commercial roe fisheries targeting spawning females, which has led to in the North Atlantic. Habitat alterations from seismic surveys associated with and gas disrupt spawning grounds, while in bottom trawls contributes to incidental mortality. Climate change exacerbates these pressures by warming cold-water habitats essential for the family's species, potentially causing range shifts and reduced in areas exceeding 14–15°C. In the North Pacific, species like the (Eumicrotremus orbis) face similar risks from habitat degradation but are currently assessed as Least Concern overall. Population trends indicate declines in Atlantic stocks, particularly around and Newfoundland, where harvest pressures have reduced adult abundances and altered sex ratios toward more males. For example, Canadian assessments note significant reductions in mature populations due to targeted fisheries. In contrast, North Pacific populations remain relatively stable, with no evidence of widespread depletion. These trends underscore the uneven impacts of pressures across ocean basins. Conservation efforts focus on regulatory measures such as total allowable catch quotas and seasonal fishing closures in the and to safeguard spawning aggregations, with 2017 stock assessments informing adjustments; for 2024/2025, implemented a reduced TAC of 2,760 tonnes and maintained area-specific openings with depth restrictions. Research into and for cleaner fish applications aims to alleviate pressure on wild stocks by providing alternatives for industries like farming, with farmed production increasing as of 2025. Enhanced monitoring programs are advocated for data-poor to enable future protections.

References

  1. [1]
    FAMILY Details for Cyclopteridae - Lumpfishes - FishBase
    Nov 29, 2012 · The number, structure and arrangement of the tubercles are important taxonomic characters. First dorsal fin with 4-8 spines, second dorsal with ...Missing: biology | Show results with:biology
  2. [2]
    [PDF] cyclopteridae.pdf - California Academy of Sciences
    Sep 6, 2003 · They differ from their closest relatives the snailfishes (Liparidae) in having fewer vertebrae (23–29 versus 36–86), globose or nearly globose ...
  3. [3]
    Report: Cyclopteridae - Integrated Taxonomic Information System
    Suborder, Cottoidei – sculpins, chabots ; Superfamily, Cyclopteroidea ; Family, Cyclopteridae – lumpfishes, snailfishes, lumpsuckers, peces grumo, poules de mer.
  4. [4]
    WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Cyclopteridae Bonaparte, 1831
    ### Summary of Cyclopteridae Family (WoRMS ID: 125590)
  5. [5]
    https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4221.1.1
  6. [6]
    https://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatget.asp?tbl=genus&genus=Cyclopterus
  7. [7]
    Order PERCIFORMES (part 21): Suborder COTTOIDEI: Infraorder ...
    Dec 10, 2024 · The ETYFish Project ... 9 genera · 39 species · Taxonomic note: includes the former Bathylutichthyidae and several marine genera previously placed ...
  8. [8]
    https://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatget.asp?tbl=genus&genus=Aptocyclus
  9. [9]
    CAS - Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes
    Oct 10, 2025 · Search Eschmeyer's Catalog | Genera/Species by Family/Subfamily | Guide ... Genera in the family or subfamily Cyclopteridae: [ 22 ] records ...
  10. [10]
    Phylogenetic relationships and a new classification of the family ...
    Jan 16, 2017 · Abstract. Phylogenetic relationships of the family Cyclopteridae were reconstructed based on osteological and external characters.
  11. [11]
    Eumicrotremus derjugini, Leatherfin lumpsucker - FishBase
    Found on mud, gravel or stone bottoms at temperatures below 0° C (Ref. 4701). Young occur in shallower water (Ref. 4701). Benthic; feed on crustaceans and ...
  12. [12]
    https://www.fishbase.se/summary/51419
  13. [13]
    Eumicrotremus jindoensis - FishBase
    Taxonomic review of dwarf species of Eumicrotremus (Actinopterygii: Cottoidei: Cyclopteridae) with descriptions of two new species from the western North ...
  14. [14]
    [PDF] Synopsis of biological data on the Lumpsucker Cyclopterus lumpus ...
    Morphology. 1.3.1. Anatomy. Anatomical and morphological studies of. Cyclopterus lurnpus have been made by numerous authors (Rathke, 1822; Hilgendorf, 1878 ...
  15. [15]
    Startle responses of fish without Mauthner neurons: escape ...
    Startle responses of fish without Mauthner neurons: escape behavior of the lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) ... C‐Type startle response, Journal of Comparative ...Missing: Cyclopteridae | Show results with:Cyclopteridae
  16. [16]
    https://www.fishbase.se/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=24106
  17. [17]
    Cyclopterus lumpus, Lumpfish : fisheries, bait - FishBase
    Basically solitary rather than a schooling fish. They exhibit a homing instinct (Ref. 9737). Adults inhabit rocky bottoms but may occur among floating seaweed.
  18. [18]
    [PDF] Lumpfish, Cyclopterus lumpus - Wildlife, plants and species
    First record of Cyclopterus lumpus L., 1758. (Osteichthyes: Cyclopteridae) in the Mediterranean Sea. Journal of fish biology. 69:300–303. Dutil, J. D., C.
  19. [19]
    [PDF] Lumpsucker Culture - University of the Highlands and Islands
    In the Firth of Lorne (Argyll, Scotland) juvenile lumpsuckers in the size range 6-36mm have been found in patches of floating weed from April to September ...
  20. [20]
    Lumpfish | Animals - Monterey Bay Aquarium
    These stumpy, lumpy swimmers flap their fins to scoot through the sea and cling to rocks with modified fins that act like a suction disc.Missing: morphology anatomy lack bladder adhesive
  21. [21]
    Observations on skin colour changes in juvenile lumpsuckers
    When swimming they adopt a cryptic default light green coloration, with the dorsum being darker than the belly (countershading). This default colour is also ...
  22. [22]
    Lumpsucker (Cyclopterus lumpus) - MarLIN
    Up to 50 cm in length. · Ventral fins form a sucker. · Slate grey to blue in colour. · Scaleless, but has small bony lumps. · Lateral rows of larger bony thorns ...Missing: Cyclopteridae size
  23. [23]
    Sexual Dimorphism in the Cyclopterid Fish Eumicrotremus orbis
    The tubercles in females are larger and more numerous than those in the males. Mature females are pale green whereas males are dull orange to reddish-brown.
  24. [24]
    Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker | Online Learning Center
    May 15, 2012 · In the wild they feed on slow moving crustaceans, polychaete worms, and mollusks that are found in the sandy or muddy bottoms. REPRODUCTION.
  25. [25]
    [PDF] Canadian Bulletin of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences - Canada.ca
    The snailfish family Liparididae (Cyclopteridae of some authors), is one of the more diverse families with over 150 species in cool marine waters. The genus ...
  26. [26]
    Eumicrotremus spinosus, Atlantic spiny lumpsucker - FishBase
    Inhabits stony bottoms (Ref. 4701). Benthic species. Feeds on crustaceans, oikopleura and fishes (Ref. 58426).<|control11|><|separator|>
  27. [27]
    (PDF) The Atlantic spiny lumpsucker Eumicrotremus spinosus
    Aug 6, 2025 · All examined specimens had almost an exclusively pelagic diet, with Themisto libellula constituting 100% of the stomach content in 80% of the ...
  28. [28]
    Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus): COSEWIC assessment and status ...
    As well, a part of their diet comprises demersal prey (polychaetes, sea squirts and molluscs) and this indicates that a significant portion of their time during ...
  29. [29]
    Diet of Juvenile Lumpsucker Cyclopterus lumpus (Cyclopteridae) in ...
    May 1, 2002 · Juvenile lumpsuckers in floating seaweed fed mainly on prey organisms found on the seaweed but also consumed organisms from the plankton.
  30. [30]
    The diet of lumpsucker (Cyclopterus lumpus L.) fry during the first year
    Aug 6, 2025 · The diet of lumpsucker (Cyclopterus lumpus L.) fry during the first year: change with age and the role of availability of food species.
  31. [31]
    Spatial distribution and diet of larval snailfishes (Liparis fabricii ...
    Liparis larvae appeared to be generalists in terms of diet and fed on a wide range of planktonic organisms. Pre-flexion larvae fed on small copepods (mainly ...Missing: habits | Show results with:habits
  32. [32]
    Habitat influences skeletal morphology and density in the snailfishes ...
    Apr 16, 2021 · Snailfishes are primarily suction feeders (e.g. [2]), relying on the bones of the jaw to rapidly protrude and contribute to negative pressures ...
  33. [33]
    The development of feeding behaviour in the lumpfish, Cyclopterus ...
    Aug 7, 2025 · Members of the family Cyclopteridae possess a ventral adhesive disc with which they adhere to rocks, vegetation, and other available substrates ...Missing: defense | Show results with:defense
  34. [34]
    (PDF) Fin crawling in flatfishes - ResearchGate
    Jun 29, 2018 · In addition to swimming, epibenthic teleost fish can walk or crawl over the bottom. ... The lumpsucker or lumpfish, Cyclopterus lumpus L.
  35. [35]
    Startle Responses of Fish without Mauthner Neurons - ResearchGate
    Escape behaviour is activated through physiological mechanisms of the Mauthner neuron cells, which is triggered through visual, acoustic or tactile stimulus ( ...
  36. [36]
    [PDF] Examining Behavior of Lumpfish, Cyclopterus lumpus, Under ...
    May 12, 2021 · The females tend to grow larger than males with average size up to 50cm long while males typically do not exceed 30-40cm (Muus et al.,. 1999).
  37. [37]
    Examining Behavior Of Lumpfish, Cyclopterus Lumpus, Under ...
    It was found lumpfish spend more time in the pelagic zone during the night and spend more time near the seabed during the day. The goal of our study was to ...Missing: Cyclopteridae patterns benthic sedentary
  38. [38]
    Addressing the welfare needs of farmed lumpfish: Knowledge gaps ...
    Jul 18, 2021 · Species profiling revealed profound differences between Atlantic salmon and lumpfish in relation to behaviour, habitat preferences, nutritional ...
  39. [39]
    (PDF) Intra- and interannual variation in fecundity and egg size of ...
    Aug 5, 2025 · ... (Cyclopterus lumpus) eggs show deficiencies in captive eggs and ... spawning season because there was insufficient time for them to mature.
  40. [40]
    [PDF] Recovery Potential Assessment for Common Lumpfish (Cyclopterus ...
    The average number of eggs produced by each female per spawning season ... Experiments on the hatching period of the eggs of the Lumpfish. Cyclopterus lumpus L.
  41. [41]
    Courtship, spawning, and parental care behavior of the lumpfish ...
    Aug 6, 2025 · Females are larger (42 ± 10 cm length), less colourful and usually grey or blue-green, and are markedly rotund, likely due to increased ...
  42. [42]
    Effect of incubation temperature on eggs and larvae of lumpfish ...
    Jan 1, 2019 · Hatching started at 279 dd (28 DPF) in the warm regime, reached a hatching peak (50% of total hatching) at 3 days post hatch (DPH), and ended at ...Missing: maturity | Show results with:maturity
  43. [43]
    Lumpfish, Cyclopterus lumpus, distribution in the Gulf of Maine, USA
    In the eastern Atlantic, lumpfish are found in the Barents Sea, around Iceland and Greenland, and as far south as Spain and Portugal (Stein, 1986). In the ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  44. [44]
    The use of photoperiods to provide year round spawning in lumpfish ...
    Spawning of lumpfish often takes place in shallow sub-tidal waters when temperatures reach around 4 °C (Collins, 1976; Daborn and Gregory, 1983). Kennedy ...Missing: intertidal | Show results with:intertidal
  45. [45]
    Use of lumpfish for sea‐lice control in salmon farming: challenges ...
    Mar 9, 2017 · A semelparous life strategy (i.e. only one spawning) is also suggested by the unusually high female reproductive investment (GSI in excess of 30 ...
  46. [46]
    (PDF) A brief history of lumpfishing, assessment, and management ...
    Targeting lumpfish for their roe on a large scale began in the 1950s in Iceland and Norway and then in Canada in the 1970s and Greenland in the 1990s.
  47. [47]
    Lumpfish(=Lumpsucker) - Aquatic species
    The lumpfish has a compressed, deep body, a small head, and a first dorsal fin with a thick crest. It lives on rocky bottoms, and males can grow to 50cm, ...Missing: annual tons pre- declines
  48. [48]
    [PDF] 5. The process of making lumpfish caviar
    One is to use a non-lethal extraction method for obtaining the lumpfish eggs, ... Roe processing technology manual. Vancouver, BC, Canada: Food Technology ...
  49. [49]
    [PDF] Canada - Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
    Lumpfish, also called Lumpsucker, has a short, stout body with a hump, no scales, and adhesive discs. It is a bottom-dwelling fish.
  50. [50]
    [PDF] European Red List of Marine Fishes
    Cyclopterus lumpus. NT. No. Actinopterygii. Scorpaeniformes. Cyclopteridae. Eumicrotremus spinosus. DD. No. Actinopterygii. Scorpaeniformes. Dactylopteridae.<|separator|>
  51. [51]
    Lumpfish Niche & Range Shifts Under Climate Change
    Apr 13, 2023 · This study sheds light on the ecological niche of the lumpfish at global scale, identifying nitrate, ice cover, diffuse attenuation and ...
  52. [52]
    A brief history of lumpfishing, assessment, and management across ...
    Oct 16, 2018 · The group aimed at identifying (i) knowledge gaps which hinder the stock assessment of this species, (ii) where future research should be ...
  53. [53]
    Genetic and phenotypic differentiation of lumpfish (Cyclopterus ... - NIH
    Nov 20, 2018 · The species is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN and there are growing concerns that over-exploitation of wild stocks and translocation ...