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Common weedfish (Heteroclinus perspicillatus) — Clinidae

Common weedfish

Heteroclinus perspicillatus
Family: Clinidae

The Common weedfish (Heteroclinus perspicillatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Clinidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow
Danger
Harmless

Description

The common weedfish is a weedfish or klipfish (Clinidae) from coastal waters of southern Australia. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a slender, brown-green body with fine markings and small fringes above the eyes, strongly camouflaged among weed and seagrass. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in weed beds and tide pools and snaps at small crustaceans, molluscs and worms; it bears live young. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Common weedfish?

The Common weedfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly green and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Common weedfish live?

The Common weedfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around algae or seagrass beds.

How big does the Common weedfish get?

The Common weedfish grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Common weedfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Common weedfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bril-wiervis sourced
English name
Common weedfish sourced
Scientific name
Heteroclinus perspicillatus
Family
Clinidae
Other names
Robust weedfish; Spotshoulder weedfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. 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 Heteroclinus

More from the family Clinidae

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