Help with Fish ID -- Old Garden Beach

[large_diver]

I think I saw a lumpfish while diving early Saturday morning at Old Garden Beach in Rockport...the first one I've ever seen.

The only thing that threw me was the coloring -- VERY orange....including these otherwordly transluscent orange/blue eyes. The orange was so striking that at first glance I thought it was a piece of man-made debris. Is this normal coloring for a lumpfish?

If only I had brought my camera as I had originally planned.... Vis was very good that morning and water temps seem to be moderating (we saw consistent temps of 48-50 on both dives).

 

[MSilvia]

I've seen what I think is a lumpfish at Old Garden too, and it was so well blended in with the background I almost suspect they can change coloration. I really don't know for sure though.

I've read that they do come in a wide variety of colors which often do match the surroundings. Red, grey, blue, and brown are all possible, so I don't know why not orange.

Of course, if it was a very small lumpfish (5"), you might have actually been looking at an Atlantic Spiny Lumpsucker, which I've never seen, but understand usually comes in striking yellow, red, or orange.

By way of comparison, here's an all-too-brief glimpse at the lumpfish I saw. http://home.attbi.com/~msilvia7/LumpFish.AVI