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Redhead clingfish (Arcos erythrops) — Gobiesocidae

Redhead clingfish

Arcos erythrops
Family: Gobiesocidae

The Redhead clingfish (Arcos erythrops) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiesocidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
3.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Redhead clingfish is a small clingfish (Gobiesocidae) from shallow reef and coastal water of the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 5 cm and has an elongate, scaleless, smooth body and a sucker disc on the belly, formed from the pelvic fins, with which it clings to stones and coral, even in the surf. It snaps at small crustaceans and invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Redhead clingfish?

The Redhead clingfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Redhead clingfish live?

The Redhead clingfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Redhead clingfish get?

The Redhead clingfish grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Redhead clingfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Redhead clingfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Roodkop-schildvis sourced
English name
Redhead clingfish sourced
Scientific name
Arcos erythrops
Family
Gobiesocidae
Other names
Rockwall clingfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Arcos

More from the family Gobiesocidae

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