Lumpsucker

D-Seehase; GB-Lumpsucker, Lumpfish; DK-Stenbider; PL-Tasza; LT-Ciegorius; LV-Zaķzivs; EST-Merivarblane; RU-Пинагор; FIN-Rasvakala; S-Sjurygg

Characters

1) Rows of bony tubercles on back and flanks.
2) Pelvic fins are modified to form a sucking disc.
●) Young animal possess two dorsal fins; first one is covered by a skin crest during growth.
●) Body massiv and back high.
Males usually 30 to 40 cm, females commonly over 50 cm, max. 61 cm length; in the Baltic Sea usually smaller.

Similar species

- Unmistakable

Biology

Lives on stony and rocky grounds in 20 to 200 m, max. 400 m depth, where he can adhere himself by means of his sucking disc. Spawns in spring, the clutch of up to 350.000 eggs is defended by the male. During winter months they stay in bigger depths.

Diet

They feed on crustaceans, comb jellies and small fish; occasionally on plant material.

Importance

Commercially important as food fish; their eggs are traded as "German caviar".

Endangerment

Presumably not endangered.