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Common cling-fish (Gobiesox maeandricus) — Gobiesocidae

Common cling-fish

Gobiesox maeandricus
Family: Gobiesocidae

The Common cling-fish (Gobiesox maeandricus) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiesocidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
16 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–8.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The northern clingfish is a clingfish (Gobiesocidae) from the northeastern Pacific. The species has a flattened, scaleless body with a broad head and a powerful sucker disc on the belly, formed from the pelvic fins, with which it clings firmly to rocks and even wet surfaces. It lives in the rocky intertidal zone among algae and on kelp. It feeds on small crustaceans, molluscs and other bottom life. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Common cling-fish?

The Common cling-fish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Common cling-fish live?

The Common cling-fish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Common cling-fish get?

The Common cling-fish grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Common cling-fish dangerous to humans?

No, the Common cling-fish is harmless to humans.

Is the Common cling-fish edible?

The Common cling-fish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Noordelijke schijfzuiger sourced
English name
Common cling-fish verified
Scientific name
Gobiesox maeandricus
Family
Gobiesocidae
Other names
Flathead clingfish; Northern clingfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
8.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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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