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Tasmanian clingfish (Aspasmogaster tasmaniensis) — Gobiesocidae

Tasmanian clingfish

Aspasmogaster tasmaniensis
Family: Gobiesocidae

The Tasmanian clingfish (Aspasmogaster tasmaniensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiesocidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Tasmanian clingfish is a small clingfish (Gobiesocidae) from coastal waters of southern Australia, around Tasmania. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a flattened, tadpole-like, red-brown body without scales and a sucker on the belly, formed by the pelvic fins, with which it clings to rocks. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in tide pools and under stones and snaps at small crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tasmanian clingfish?

The Tasmanian clingfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Tasmanian clingfish live?

The Tasmanian clingfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Tasmanian clingfish get?

The Tasmanian clingfish grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Tasmanian clingfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Tasmanian clingfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Tasmaanse zuignapvis sourced
English name
Tasmanian clingfish sourced
Scientific name
Aspasmogaster tasmaniensis
Family
Gobiesocidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom 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 Aspasmogaster

More from the family Gobiesocidae

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