Biology:Pacific spiny lumpsucker
| Pacific spiny lumpsucker | |
|---|---|
.jpg)
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Scorpaeniformes |
| Family: | Cyclopteridae |
| Genus: | Eumicrotremus |
| Species: | E. orbis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Eumicrotremus orbis Günther, 1861
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The Pacific spiny lumpsucker (Eumicrotremus orbis) is a species of bony fish in the family Cyclopteridae.
Description
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
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
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 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.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Eumicrotremus orbis summary page" (in en). https://www.fishbase.de/summary/Eumicrotremus-orbis.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 "About Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker" (in en). https://aquarium.org/animals/pacific-spiny-lumpsucker/.
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 4.20 4.21 4.22 4.23 4.24 4.25 4.26 4.27 "Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker" (in en). https://www.aquariumofpacific.org/onlinelearningcenter/species/pacific_spiny_lumpsucker.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 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. https://archive.org/details/fieldguidetopaci00will.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 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.
Wikidata ☰ Q2940277 entry
 |
