A relatively rare Lumpsucker fish was spotted in Cornish waters recently. It has been taken to the Blue Reef Aquarium in Newquay where it's proving very popular.
The baby, which measures just 2cm/0.75" in length, was caught by Ned Bailey from Mylor in a crab pot in Falmouth Bay.
Blue Reef's Matt Slater said: "Lumpsuckers have been described as one of the marine world's least graceful fish and they certainly look strange with their scaleless blue-green skin and deep bodies covered with bony lumps.
"However this thimble-sized baby is incredibly comical and very cute looking and is proving to be some of the most popular creatures with our visitors."
Although reported throughout the British Isles it is unusual to find the Lumpsucker (Cyclopterus lumpus) so far south. Usually these fish are found in deeper waters at depths of 50-300m, only coming to shore during the spawning season.
These fish can grow up to 61cm/24.5" in length and weigh 9.5kg. They get their name from their adapted pelvic fins which they use to attach themselves onto rocks. Females lay up to 300,000 eggs, which are valued in certain parts of the world as a form of caviar. In Scandinavian countries they also eat the flesh.
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