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Zebra clingfish (Tomicodon zebra) — Gobiesocidae

Zebra clingfish

Tomicodon zebra
Family: Gobiesocidae
LC · Least Concern

The Zebra clingfish (Tomicodon zebra) is a saltwater fish of the family Gobiesocidae that grows up to 6 cm.

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

Description

The zebra clingfish is a clingfish (Gobiesocidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species is small and has a flattened, scaleless body with dark crossbars, to which the name refers, and a powerful sucking disc on the belly formed from the pelvic fins. With it she clings to stones in the turbulent intertidal zone. On the bottom it feeds mainly on barnacles and small crustaceans. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Zebra clingfish?

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

Where does the Zebra clingfish live?

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

How big does the Zebra clingfish get?

The Zebra clingfish grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Zebra clingfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Zebra clingfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Zebra clingfish edible?

The Zebra clingfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zebra-schildvis sourced
English name
Zebra clingfish verified
Scientific name
Tomicodon zebra
Family
Gobiesocidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy 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
Yes 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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