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Panamic clingfish (Gobiesox adustus) — Gobiesocidae

Panamic clingfish

Gobiesox adustus
Family: Gobiesocidae
LC · Least Concern

The Panamic clingfish (Gobiesox adustus) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiesocidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; rocky reefs and tidal areas.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Panamic clingfish is a clingfish (Gobiesocidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species is small and has a flattened head and body with a powerful sucking disc on the belly, formed by the fused pelvic fins, with which it clings firmly to rocks in the surf. It inhabits rocky reefs and intertidal areas. On the bottom it feeds on zooplankton, algae and small benthic invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Panamic clingfish?

The Panamic clingfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Powerful ventral sucker for attaching itself to rocks in the surf.

Where does the Panamic clingfish live?

The Panamic clingfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Eastern Pacific; rocky reefs and tidal areas.

How big does the Panamic clingfish get?

The Panamic clingfish grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Panamic clingfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Panamic clingfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Panamic clingfish edible?

The Panamic clingfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Panamic clingfish (Gobiesox adustus) — Gobiesocidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) litupem, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Panamic clingfish (Gobiesox adustus) — Gobiesocidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Alberto Alcalá, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Panamic clingfish (Gobiesox adustus) — Gobiesocidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Alberto Alcalá, some rights reserved (CC BY))

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All data

Identification

English name
Panamic clingfish verified
Scientific name
Gobiesox adustus
Family
Gobiesocidae
Other names
Panamic clingfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; rocky reefs and tidal areas.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton, algae and small benthic invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
Yes
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Powerful ventral sucker for attaching itself to rocks in the surf. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. 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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