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Hourglass clingfish (Tomicodon petersii) — Gobiesocidae

Hourglass clingfish

Tomicodon petersii
Family: Gobiesocidae
LC · Least Concern

The Hourglass clingfish (Tomicodon petersii) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiesocidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
3.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; rocky coasts and intertidal zones.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Peters' clingfish is a tiny bottom fish of the clingfish family (Gobiesocidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species grows to only about 3.5 cm and has a scaleless, flattened body with a sucker on the belly, formed by the modified pelvic fins, with which it clings firmly to rocks. It inhabits rocky shores and intertidal zones, where it lives among stones and in crevices. As a small omnivore it feeds on zooplankton, algae and small benthic invertebrates. Owing to its small size and clinging ability it withstands the surf. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hourglass clingfish?

The Hourglass clingfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Ventral sucker formed from modified pelvic fins to attach to rocks in the surf.

Where does the Hourglass clingfish live?

The Hourglass clingfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific; rocky coasts and intertidal zones.

How big does the Hourglass clingfish get?

The Hourglass clingfish grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Hourglass clingfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Hourglass clingfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Hourglass clingfish edible?

The Hourglass clingfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Hourglass clingfish (Tomicodon petersii) — Gobiesocidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Frank Krasovec, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Hourglass clingfish (Tomicodon petersii) — Gobiesocidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Billy Bensted-Smith, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Hourglass clingfish (Tomicodon petersii) — Gobiesocidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Alberto Alcalá, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Hourglass clingfish (Tomicodon petersii) — Gobiesocidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Billy Bensted-Smith, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Hourglass clingfish verified
Scientific name
Tomicodon petersii
Family
Gobiesocidae
Other names
Peter's clingfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; rocky coasts and intertidal zones. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton, algae and small benthic invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Ventral sucker formed from modified pelvic fins to attach to rocks in the surf. 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
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Tomicodon

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Fin

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