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Deepwater klipfish (Pavoclinus profundus) — Clinidae

Deepwater klipfish

Pavoclinus profundus
Family: Clinidae

The Deepwater klipfish (Pavoclinus profundus) is a saltwater fish of the family Clinidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–40.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Deepwater klipfish is a small klipfish (Clinidae) from coastal waters of southern Africa. The species grows to about 5 cm and has an elongate, brown-green body with a long dorsal fin, adapted to life on deeper rocky reefs. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among seaweed, rocks and sponges and snaps at small crustaceans. Like many klipfishes it gives birth to live young. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Deepwater klipfish?

The Deepwater klipfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly green.

Where does the Deepwater klipfish live?

The Deepwater klipfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Deepwater klipfish get?

The Deepwater klipfish grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Deepwater klipfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Deepwater klipfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Diepwater-klipvis sourced
English name
Deepwater klipfish sourced
Scientific name
Pavoclinus profundus
Family
Clinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No 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 Pavoclinus

More from the family Clinidae

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