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Aptocyclus ventricosus (Pallas, 1769)
Smooth Lumpsucker
Family: Cyclopteridae
Introduction to the Fish

Photograph

© Aaron Baldwin     (Photo ID #14685)

Map

Source: Distribution of Aptocyclus ventricosus as compiled by Aquamaps

Species Information

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 9; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 7 - 9. Brownish gray with dark spots dorsally, muddy gray ventrally. Caudal fin rounded; pectoral fins large and broadly based; pelvic fins modified to form a clinging disc with a thickened margin on the ventral surface of the body (Ref. 6885). Skin naked without scales and tubercles. First dorsal fin completely embedded under the skin. Disk rudimentary in young, well developed in adults (Ref. 43939).

Source: FishBase. Eschmeyer, W.N., E.S. Herald and H Hammann. 1983 . (Ref. 2850).

Biology

Species Biology

Males are said to guard the eggs (Ref. 6885). Migrate to spawn in littoral waters of Bering Sea in December-June (Ref. 43939). benthopelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 1700 m (Ref. 50550). Temperate.

Source: FishBase. Eschmeyer, W.N., E.S. Herald and H Hammann. 1983 . (Ref. 2850).

Distribution

Distribution

North Pacific: Pusan, Korea north (outside the Sea of Okhotsk) to Providence Bay in the Anadyr Gulf of the Bering Sea, throughout the Aleutian Basin and islands, and southeast to Mathieson Channel, British Columbia, Canada.

Source: FishBase. Eschmeyer, W.N., E.S. Herald and H Hammann. 1983 . (Ref. 2850).

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)		COSEWIC
NativeSNRNo StatusNot Listed



BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

Additional Range and Status Information Links

NatureServe Explorer
 University of Alaska Museum

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