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Bahama clingfish (Gobiesox lucayanus) — Gobiesocidae

Bahama clingfish

Gobiesox lucayanus
Family: Gobiesocidae

The Bahama clingfish (Gobiesox lucayanus) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiesocidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Bahama clingfish is a clingfish (Gobiesocidae) from shallow rocky and intertidal areas of the western Atlantic and the Bahamas. 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 clamps onto stones in the surf. As a bottom-dweller it shelters under stones and in crevices and snaps at small crustaceans, snails and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bahama clingfish?

The Bahama clingfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Bahama clingfish live?

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

How big does the Bahama clingfish get?

The Bahama clingfish grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Bahama clingfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bahama clingfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bahama-zuigvis sourced
English name
Bahama clingfish sourced
Scientific name
Gobiesox lucayanus
Family
Gobiesocidae
Other names
Bahama Skilletfish; Bahama skilletfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
Yes 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

Same genus Gobiesox

More from the family Gobiesocidae

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