Species learning profile
Lumpfish
Cyclopterus lumpus
Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) is a saltwater fish associated with reef habitat in North Atlantic. Fused pelvic fins form a suction cup that anchors it to rock.
Your learning progress stays on this device.
At a glance
- Water
- Salt water
- Habitat
- Reef
- Maximum length
- 61 cm
- Range
- North Atlantic
- Family
- Cyclopteridae
- Order
- Scorpaeniformes
Observe
How to identify Lumpfish
- Fused pelvic fins form a suction cup that anchors it to rock.
- Guide context: reef habitat in North Atlantic.
- Reported maximum length: 61 cm — up to about the length of a guitar. Maximum is not the same as typical adult size.
Field note: color, size, and markings can change with age, sex, season, depth, and lighting. Use several traits together.
Place and pattern
Where it lives—and how it behaves
Habitat and range
This species is associated with reef habitat across North Atlantic. Reef crevices provide shelter while current, coral, algae, and neighboring animals supply food.
Behavior
Adults migrate inshore to guard egg masses
Food-web connections
What it eats and why it matters
Diet
Jellyfish, crustaceans, and small fish.
Ecological role
Consumes gelatinous prey and supplies food for large predators.
Remember
One fact worth keeping
Fused pelvic fins form a suction cup that anchors it to rock.
Think like a conservationist
A conservation lens
Reef fish are affected by coral loss, warming, destructive fishing, pollution, and the removal of key grazers or predators.
This habitat lens is not a current population-status assessment. Status can differ among regions and change as new assessments are published; follow the reference links and local fisheries or wildlife agencies for current decisions.
Recall
Quick knowledge check
Which habitat is most closely associated with Lumpfish in this guide?
Keep exploring
References and further reading
Fishdle summarizes stable identification and ecology concepts in plain language. Taxonomy and population knowledge continue to change, so use primary assessments and regional authorities for conservation or management decisions.
Make connections