Our June Fish of the Month is the Lumpfish, Cyclopterus lumpus!
Survey Regions: Lumpfish are found throughout the northwestern Atlantic Ocean, from Greenland to New Jersey, including REEF's Northeast US and Canada (NE) survey region. Click here to view a REEF distribution report for this species.
Size: They can reach up to 2 feet in length!
Identifying Features: Lumpfish come in a variety of colors depending on their habitat, including blueish gray, green, olive, yellow, or brown. They have a thick, stout body with an assortment of lumps, bumps, and ridges, as well as a thick layer of skin covering their first dorsal fin, which resembles a large mohawk.
Fun Facts: While Lumpfish may not be the most hydrodynamic species, they have modified pelvic fins that form a suction cup on their belly to help them attach to the ocean bottom. Males use this suction to stay in place when guarding and tending to eggs, which they frequently aerate and clean by blowing water on them. The Lumpfish is also one of this year's Fish Out of Water 5K teams! Click here to learn more.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for our next Fish of the Month.
Photo by Alison Johnson.