Beyond spring season: An autumn observation of adult lumpsuckers (Cyclopterus lumpus) in coastal Norway Frøya archipelago raises questions on extended spawning activity

Abstract

During snorkelling near Fr & oslash;ya, central Norway, on 6 October 2025, a pair of adult lumpsuckers (Cyclopterus lumpus) was observed engaged in apparent prespawning behaviour in shallow kelp habitat. Such activity is surprising, as the species is mainly considered a spring spawner throughout the eastern Atlantic and is the focus of a targeted fishery during this period. Recent genomic work has identified a small, genetically distinct autumn-spawning component in Norway. This observation provides rare behavioural support for that phenomenon, highlights its potential ecological relevance and proposes working hypothesis for future scientific studies.

Keywords

allochrony; lumpfish; phenology; reproduction; seasonality; spawning behaviour

Published in

Journal of Fish Biology
2026
Publisher: WILEY

SLU Authors

• Heimbrand, Yvette

  • Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Fish and Aquacultural Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70375

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/146393