Home · Gobiesocidae · Small-headed clingfish
Small-headed clingfish (Apletodon dentatus) — Gobiesocidae

Small-headed clingfish

Apletodon dentatus
Family: Gobiesocidae
LC · Least Concern

The Small-headed clingfish (Apletodon dentatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiesocidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The small-headed clingfish is a very small, flattened clingfish of the family Gobiesocidae reaching about 4 cm. It has a broad, relatively small head and a brown to reddish mottled body; like other clingfishes the pelvic fins are fused into a sucking disc, with which the fish attaches to weeds, seagrass blades and shells. The species lives hidden among weeds and seagrass and on shell beds of shallow coastal water of the north-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Among the plants it searches for very small crustaceans and invertebrates. The eggs are laid on a blade or shell and guarded by the parent. Because of its minuscule size and hidden lifestyle it is rarely noticed.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Small-headed clingfish?

The Small-headed clingfish has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Small-headed clingfish live?

The Small-headed clingfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around algae or seagrass beds.

How big does the Small-headed clingfish get?

The Small-headed clingfish grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Small-headed clingfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Small-headed clingfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Small-headed clingfish edible?

The Small-headed clingfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kleinkop-zuignapvis inferred
English name
Small-headed clingfish verified
Scientific name
Apletodon dentatus
Family
Gobiesocidae
Other names
Small-headed clingfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular verified
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater verified
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
Yes verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
Yes verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Gobiesocidae

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