UK Seas

Discover the wonderful sea creatures that inhabit the UK seas and shores

UK seas is a guide to the fauna and flora found around UK coasts. While the majority of species are marine, some species are included that are regularly encountered on land by the coast, so you’ll find descriptions of non-marine species such as reptiles, amphibians, insects and plants as well.

Lumpsucker

Cyclopterus lumpus

Type

Fish

Description

Male is striking blue and pink, plain brown females are much larger.

Females lay eggs (“lumpfish caviar”) on rocks in Spring, then many die. Males guard the eggs attentively.

Location

All around the UK, in shallows only in Spring, particularly abundant on North Sea coasts.

Habitat

Subtidal, Rock pools, Lower shore,