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Speckled clingfish (Arcos poecilophthalmos) — Gobiesocidae

Speckled clingfish

Arcos poecilophthalmos
Family: Gobiesocidae

The Speckled clingfish (Arcos poecilophthalmos) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiesocidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–30.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Speckled clingfish is a small clingfish (Gobiesocidae) from shallow reef and coastal water of the eastern Pacific. 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 Speckled clingfish?

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

Where does the Speckled clingfish live?

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

How big does the Speckled clingfish get?

The Speckled clingfish grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Speckled clingfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Speckled clingfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vlekoog-schildvis sourced
English name
Speckled clingfish sourced
Scientific name
Arcos poecilophthalmos
Family
Gobiesocidae
Other names
Galapagos clingfish sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 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
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
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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