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Cortez clingfish (Tomicodon boehlkei) — Gobiesocidae

Cortez clingfish

Tomicodon boehlkei
Family: Gobiesocidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Cortez clingfish (Tomicodon boehlkei) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiesocidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Cortez clingfish is a small, flattened clingfish from the eastern Pacific, especially around the Gulf of California. The species reaches only about 7 cm and has a flattened head and a ventral sucking disc, formed from the pelvic fins, with which it clings firmly to stones in the turbulent intertidal zone. This keeps it in place amid the surf. It feeds on small crustaceans and other invertebrate bottom life. The fish is harmless to humans and has not been evaluated by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cortez clingfish?

The Cortez clingfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Flattened head with a ventral sucker; clings on in the intertidal zone

Where does the Cortez clingfish live?

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

How big does the Cortez clingfish get?

The Cortez clingfish grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Cortez clingfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Cortez clingfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Cortez clingfish edible?

The Cortez clingfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Cortez clingfish verified
Scientific name
Tomicodon boehlkei
Family
Gobiesocidae
Other names
Cortez clingfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Eastern Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans and invertebrate benthic life inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Intertidal-zone dweller; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Flattened head with a ventral sucker; clings on in the intertidal zone sourced

For anglers

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

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Tomicodon

More from the family Gobiesocidae

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