Home · Gobiesocidae · Barred clingfish
Barred clingfish (Tomicodon fasciatus) — Gobiesocidae

Barred clingfish

Tomicodon fasciatus
Family: Gobiesocidae
LC · Least Concern

The Barred clingfish (Tomicodon fasciatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiesocidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The barred clingfish is a small fish of the family Gobiesocidae (clingfishes) from the western Atlantic and the Caribbean. The species has an elongate, flattened, brown body with dark cross-bars and reaches only about 5 cm. Characteristic is the sucker disc formed from the fused pelvic fins; with it the fish clamps firmly onto rocks, even in the surf. It lives on rocky bottoms close to shore and feeds on small invertebrates. Because of its small size the species has no fishery value.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Barred clingfish?

The Barred clingfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Barred clingfish live?

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

How big does the Barred clingfish get?

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

Is the Barred clingfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Barred clingfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Barred clingfish edible?

The Barred clingfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gebande zuigvis sourced
English name
Barred clingfish verified
Scientific name
Tomicodon fasciatus
Family
Gobiesocidae
Other names
Barred Clingfish; Barred clingfish; Hourglass clingfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars 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
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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 Tomicodon

More from the family Gobiesocidae

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