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Kuiter's clingfish (Kopua kuiteri) — Gobiesocidae

Kuiter's clingfish

Kopua kuiteri
Family: Gobiesocidae

The Kuiter's clingfish (Kopua kuiteri) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiesocidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
2.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
92.0–405.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

Kuiter's clingfish is a clingfish (Gobiesocidae) from deeper coastal waters of southern Australia and New Zealand. The species grows to about 6 cm and has an elongate, scaleless, reddish body with a flattened head and a powerful sucker disc on the belly, formed from the pelvic fins, with which it clings to stones and rock. As a bottom-dweller it snaps at small crustaceans and invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Kuiter's clingfish?

The Kuiter's clingfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Kuiter's clingfish live?

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

How big does the Kuiter's clingfish get?

The Kuiter's clingfish grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Kuiter's clingfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Kuiter's clingfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kuiters schildvis sourced
English name
Kuiter's clingfish sourced
Scientific name
Kopua kuiteri
Family
Gobiesocidae
Other names
Deepwater clignfish sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
92.0 verified
Max depth (m)
405.0 verified
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

More from the family Gobiesocidae

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