Ever seen a golf ball swim? I know it’s a funny statement but residing in the waters of the Pacific Northwest is a spherical little fish that resembles a golf ball.
Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker have an almost spherical or global head and body shape. They do not have scales. Instead the body is covered with plate-like structures containing spiny lumps called tubercles. Females have more tubercles than males. They have a squared dorsal fin, a caudal fin that is rounded, thin, and transparent pectoral fins and a specialized fringed sucker disk on their stomachs that has evolved is a modification of their pelvic fins. They have a wide mouth with flat large lips and large protruding eyes. They have a wide range of colors: shades of brown to green, often with yellow or orange highlights.
These little fish only grow to about 2.5-7.6 cm (1-3 in).
Lumpsuckers are solitary by nature and are usually found alone. Inefficient swimmers because of their spherical body and small fins, when disturbed, spiny lumpsuckers aimlessly change directions and they will try and use rocks and seaweeds for hiding places.
Finding one of these comical creatures to photograph is truly delightful. Take your time and be patient, set up your shot, because these guys struggle to swim wait for them to be in the best spot and get your image.
Thanks for reading.
Scott
For more stories and images - http://www.scottstevensonphotography.ca/
