The Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker (Eumicrotremus orbis) is a small, bottom-dwelling fish that is native to the coastal waters of British Columbia in the Pacific Ocean. It is a member of the Cyclopteridae family, which also includes the common lumpsucker and the snailfish.
The Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker is a small fish, typically reaching a length of about 1-3 inches with most being under an 1 inch in length. It has a round body (like a marble) with a series of small, spiny bumps on its skin called “tubercles”. They also have a suction cup on their torso that allows them to “stick” to kelp, rocks, and other underwater surfaces. They are typically green, orange, red, or brown in color and come with a variety of unique markings. They have excellent camouflage and can be very difficult to find.
These are a favorite fish to search for among divers in British Columbia. The Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker is a benthic fish, which means it lives on or near the bottom of the ocean. It feeds on a variety of small invertebrates, such as crustaceans and marine worms. During the fall/winter they can be found in shallower water, usually at depths of less than 10 meters, and are often found among kelp beds and rocky reefs.
They are found along the coastline of British Columbia, Canada and the western coast of North America, from Alaska to California.
These lumpsuckers were filmed by Carl Sorensen of https://www.scubabc.ca over a series of 4 dives in the Nanoose Bay area.
You can find more of his videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@scubabc6701