These Fish Suck, But They're So Adorable: Video

TAMPA, FL — Divers in the Pacific Ocean describe these Pacific spiny lumpsuckers as bizarre, cute, comical, entertaining and as a ping pong ball with fins.

The California Academy of Sciences says all are appropriate descriptions of these tiny, almost spherical fish.

With their befuddled-looking expressions, spherical bodies and comically poor swimming skills, Pacific spiny lumpsuckers (Eumicrotremus orbis) are almost impossible to observe with a straight face, says the academy.

These entertaining, endearing little creatures, however, also possess some pretty striking adaptations. What was once a set of pelvic fins has fused to form a large, surprisingly strong sucker disk, giving the 1- to 3-inch-long fish the ability to anchor itself to rocks, kelp and eel grass.

However, its small size doesn't prevent this species form diving to depths as great as 480 feet.

The Pacific spiny lumpsucker can be found in cold, coastal waters from Washington State to Alaska's Aleutian Islands, and westward to the Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea and Japan.

But you don't have to take a dive in the frigid waters of the northern Pacific Ocean to see them. These little guys, that look as if they're walking up the wall of the aquarium, are on exhibit at The Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive in Tampa.