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Clingfish (Gobiesox cephalus) — Gobiesocidae

Clingfish

Gobiesox cephalus
Family: Gobiesocidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Clingfish (Gobiesox cephalus) is a freshwater fish of the family Gobiesocidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The river clingfish is a small clingfish from fresh and brackish water of Central America and northern South America. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a flattened, brown body with a broad head and a ventral sucking disc, formed from the pelvic fins, with which it clings firmly to stones in fast-flowing rivers and waterfalls. This lets it hold its ground in the strong current while it grazes small invertebrates and algae. The fish is harmless to humans and has no commercial value. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Clingfish?

The Clingfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Clingfish live?

The Clingfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Clingfish get?

The Clingfish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Clingfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Clingfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Clingfish edible?

The Clingfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Rivierschijfzuiger verified
English name
Clingfish verified
Scientific name
Gobiesox cephalus
Family
Gobiesocidae
Other names
Clingfish; Riverine Clingfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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