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Stippled clingfish (Gobiesox punctulatus) — Gobiesocidae

Stippled clingfish

Gobiesox punctulatus
Family: Gobiesocidae
LC · Least Concern

The Stippled clingfish (Gobiesox punctulatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiesocidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6.3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The stippled clingfish is a clingfish (Gobiesocidae) from the western Atlantic and the Caribbean. The species is small and has a flattened head and body with a fine stippled pattern, to which the name refers, and a belly sucking disc of fused pelvic fins. It is most common on limestone rocks and ledges in clear, shallow water, where it clings to the substrate. On the bottom it feeds on small invertebrates and algae. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Stippled clingfish?

The Stippled clingfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Stippled clingfish live?

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

How big does the Stippled clingfish get?

The Stippled clingfish grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Stippled clingfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Stippled clingfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Stippled clingfish edible?

The Stippled clingfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gestippelde zuignapvis sourced
English name
Stippled clingfish verified
Scientific name
Gobiesox punctulatus
Family
Gobiesocidae
Other names
Stippled Clingfish; Stippled clingfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.3 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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 Gobiesox

More from the family Gobiesocidae

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