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Striped kelpfish (Gibbonsia metzi) — Clinidae

Striped kelpfish

Gibbonsia metzi
Family: Clinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Striped kelpfish (Gibbonsia metzi) is a saltwater fish of the family Clinidae that grows up to 24 cm.

Length
24 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–9.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The striped kelpfish is a kelpfish (Clinidae) from the northeastern Pacific. The species has an elongate, laterally compressed body whose colour varies from green to red-brown, matched to the surrounding weed. It lives among seaweeds, especially in tide pools and kelp beds, where it is nearly invisible. As a bottom hunter it feeds on small crustaceans, snails and worms. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Striped kelpfish?

The Striped kelpfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly green and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Striped kelpfish live?

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

How big does the Striped kelpfish get?

The Striped kelpfish grows to a maximum of about 24 cm.

Is the Striped kelpfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Striped kelpfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Striped kelpfish edible?

The Striped kelpfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gestreepte wiervis sourced
English name
Striped kelpfish verified
Scientific name
Gibbonsia metzi
Family
Clinidae
Other names
Striped kelpfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
24.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Green inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
9.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
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 sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Gibbonsia

More from the family Clinidae

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