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Deepwater clingfish (Matanui profundum) — Tripterygiidae

Deepwater clingfish

Matanui profundum

The Deepwater clingfish (Matanui profundum) is a saltwater fish of the family Tripterygiidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9.4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
97.0–500.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The deepwater clingfish is a clingfish (Gobiesocidae) of deeper rocky and reef water around New Zealand in the southwest Pacific. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a scaleless, pear-shaped body with a flat head and a powerful sucker disc on the belly, formed from the pelvic fins, with which it clings to rocks. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among stones and crevices and snaps at small crustaceans and invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Deepwater clingfish?

The Deepwater clingfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Deepwater clingfish live?

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

How big does the Deepwater clingfish get?

The Deepwater clingfish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Deepwater clingfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Deepwater clingfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Diepwater-zuigvis sourced
English name
Deepwater clingfish sourced
Scientific name
Matanui profundum
Family
Tripterygiidae
Other names
Deepwater triplefin sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
97.0 verified
Max depth (m)
500.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal 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 Tripterygiidae

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