Home · Gobiesocidae · Speckled clingfish
Speckled clingfish (Arcos poecilophthalmos) — Gobiesocidae

Speckled clingfish

Arcos poecilophthalmos
Family: Gobiesocidae

The Speckled clingfish (Arcos poecilophthalmos) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiesocidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–30.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Galapagos Is.

Want the complete picture on the Speckled clingfish?

Get the app

Description

The Speckled clingfish is a small clingfish (Gobiesocidae) from shallow reef and coastal water of the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 5 cm and has an elongate, scaleless, smooth body and a sucker disc on the belly, formed from the pelvic fins, with which it clings to stones and coral, even in the surf. It snaps at small crustaceans and invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Speckled clingfish?

The Speckled clingfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Speckled clingfish live?

The Speckled clingfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. South America: Galapagos Is.

How big does the Speckled clingfish get?

The Speckled clingfish grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Speckled clingfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Speckled clingfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Speckled clingfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Speckled clingfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Speckled clingfish sourced
Scientific name
Arcos poecilophthalmos
Family
Gobiesocidae
Other names
Galapagos clingfish sourced

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
South America: Galapagos Is. sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Arcos

More from the family Gobiesocidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Speckled clingfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Speckled clingfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Speckled clingfish? Get the app