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Barbelled klipfish (Cirrhibarbis capensis) — Clinidae

Barbelled klipfish

Cirrhibarbis capensis
Family: Clinidae

The Barbelled klipfish (Cirrhibarbis capensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Clinidae that grows up to 36 cm.

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

Description

The barbelled klipfish is a klipfish (Clinidae) from coastal waters of southern Africa. The species grows to about 36 cm and has an elongate, brown-green body with a long, low dorsal fin and conspicuous feeler-like appendages around the mouth. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among seaweed and rocks of shallow coastal water and snaps at small crustaceans and molluscs. Like many klipfishes it gives birth to live young. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Barbelled klipfish?

The Barbelled klipfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly green.

Where does the Barbelled klipfish live?

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

How big does the Barbelled klipfish get?

The Barbelled klipfish grows to a maximum of about 36 cm.

Is the Barbelled klipfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Barbelled klipfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Baard-klipvis sourced
English name
Barbelled klipfish sourced
Scientific name
Cirrhibarbis capensis
Family
Clinidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
36.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Clinidae

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