Lumpsucker
Otolith description
Otoliths of lumpsucker are very small and do not exceed 2 mm in length. The general shape of the otolith is triangular. The sulcus runs straight over of the length of the otolith. The sulcus is clearly visible and open at the ostium. The sulcus is formed by a thickening of the ventral side of the otolith. Ostium and cauda are two clearly separate holes in the surface of the otolith, but in some specimens only the ostium is clearly visible. The surface of the inside is irregular, especially at the ventral side, while the outside surface and margins are smooth. The ventral margin is straight or slightly rounded, but smooth. The dorsal margin is rounded and smooth. The rostrum is round and the antirostrum is indistinct. The anterior margin is slightly indented just above the rostrum. The posterior margin is rounded and may also be slightly indented. The inside is flat and the outside convex. The otolith is thick, particularly at the ventral side.
When eroded the rostrum of the otolith may become less distinct, but also more distinct by a deepening and opening of the ostium. The sulcus remains visible in the form of the two holes of the ostium and cauda. The ventral part of the otoliths remains thicker than the dorsal part.
Otoliths of lumpsucker are very small and easily missed, but other remains may also be found. Lumpsucker has a lot of distinct denticles over its body. These are hard and often found in samples containing remains of lumpsucker. The denticles are shaped like hoods with many rows of mounted spinelets on their surface. Also the texture of the bones is very rough while in other fish species the bones are smooth.
Fish length and distribution
Lumpsucker can grow up to 70 cm. Lumpsucker is a bottom-living fish (CYCLUMP.TIF) mostly found on rocky bottoms, but can also be found in mid-water. Juveniles are pelagic. Lumpsucker is found in deeper waters but for spawning it migrates to rocky shores. Eggs are deposited between rocks just below the low-tide mark from February to May and are guarded by the males (Wheeler, 1978, Nijssen and De Groot, 1987, Knijn et al., 1993, Muus et al., 1999).
Lumpsucker is a common fish found in the Northern Atlantic, North Sea and Baltic.
Sample origin
Fyke.