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Sonora clingfish (Tomicodon humeralis) — Gobiesocidae

Sonora clingfish

Tomicodon humeralis
Family: Gobiesocidae

The Sonora clingfish (Tomicodon humeralis) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiesocidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Sonora clingfish is a small clingfish (Gobiesocidae) from shallow rocky and intertidal areas of the eastern Pacific, in the Gulf of California. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a scaleless, pear-shaped body with a flat head and a powerful sucker disc on the belly, formed from the pelvic fins, with which it clamps onto stones in the surf. As a bottom-dweller it shelters under stones and in crevices and snaps at small crustaceans, snails and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sonora clingfish?

The Sonora clingfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Sonora clingfish live?

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

How big does the Sonora clingfish get?

The Sonora clingfish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Sonora clingfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Sonora clingfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Schouder-zuigvis sourced
English name
Sonora clingfish sourced
Scientific name
Tomicodon humeralis
Family
Gobiesocidae
Other names
Sonora clingfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
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

Same genus Tomicodon

More from the family Gobiesocidae

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