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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
Range
Western Atlantic and Caribbean; limestone rocks in shallow water.
Edibility
Not eaten

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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. Fine spotted pattern and a ventral sucker; attaches itself to limestone rocks in clear shallow water.

Where does the Stippled clingfish live?

The Stippled clingfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Atlantic and Caribbean; limestone rocks in shallow water.

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. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Stippled clingfish edible?

The Stippled clingfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Stippled clingfish (Gobiesox punctulatus) — Gobiesocidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Thomas Menut, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Stippled clingfish (Gobiesox punctulatus) — Gobiesocidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Amy Deacon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Stippled clingfish (Gobiesox punctulatus) — Gobiesocidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Dan Schofield, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Stippled clingfish (Gobiesox punctulatus) — Gobiesocidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Dan Schofield, some rights reserved (CC BY))

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All data

Identification

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
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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Western Atlantic and Caribbean; limestone rocks in shallow water.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates and algae 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
Fine spotted pattern and a ventral sucker; attaches itself to limestone rocks in clear shallow water. 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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