Lumpsuckers

Lumpsuckers or lumpfish are mostly small scorpaeniform marine fish. The "sucker" part refers to the fish's modified pelvic fins, which have evolved into adhesive discs (located ventrally, behind the pectoral fins); the fish use these discs to adhere to the substrate. Many species have bony, wart-like tubercles adorning the head and body.The relatively small mouths of lumpsuckers are lined with narrow rows of small conical teeth. The gas bladder is absent. In terms of length, lumpsuckers range in size from two centimetres in Lethotremus awae to 60 centimetres in Cyclopterus lumpus (known commonly as simply the lumpsucker). Young fish remain in shallow, warmer water until fully developed.Members of the family are found primarily on the continental shelf or slope, at depths from 100-1,700 metres.