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Flathead clingfish (Conidens laticephalus) — Gobiesocidae

Flathead clingfish

Conidens laticephalus
Family: Gobiesocidae

The Flathead clingfish (Conidens laticephalus) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiesocidae that grows up to 4 cm.

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

Description

The flathead clingfish is a small clingfish (Gobiesocidae) from shallow reef and tidal water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 5 cm and has an elongate, scaleless, brownish body with a broad, flattened head and a sucker disc on the belly, formed from the pelvic fins, with which it clings to stones and coral. It snaps at small crustaceans and invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Flathead clingfish?

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

Where does the Flathead clingfish live?

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

How big does the Flathead clingfish get?

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

Is the Flathead clingfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Flathead clingfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Platkop-schildvis sourced
English name
Flathead clingfish sourced
Scientific name
Conidens laticephalus
Family
Gobiesocidae
Other names
Broadhead clingfish sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.0 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
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

More from the family Gobiesocidae

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