Guests to the Pacific Seas Aquarium may notice some quirky new additions: juvenile Pacific spiny lumpsuckers. Hatched in October, these tiny, round fish have just reached the right size to join the guest-facing habitat.

Despite their tough-sounding name, lumpsuckers are anything but fearsome. With lumpy skin, bulging eyes, and a soft, round body, they are among the most uniquely charming fish in the Pacific Northwest. They are poor swimmers and rely on a suction disc formed from a pelvic fin to attach themselves to rocks, eelgrass, or kelp. Their unusual appearance and behavior make them a favorite in cold-water aquariums.

These fish usually grow just one to three inches long and are covered in bony plates instead of scales. Their natural range includes cold waters from Alaska to northern Washington, including the Puget Sound. Divers often spot them in shallow areas during colder months.

Next time you visit the aquarium, stop by to see these endearing fish up close in the “Home Sweet Barnacle” habitat. You’ll also see a few adult lumpsuckers, currently much larger, in the habitat with them.