| |
| Scientific Name | Gobiesox maeandricus |
|---|---|
| Conservation Status | Data Defficient |
| Family | Chordata |
| Habitat | North Pacific Rim |
| Food | Small Crustaceans and Plankton |
Clingfishes are fishes of the family Gobiesocidae. Most species are marine, being found in shallow waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. They are bottom-dwelling fishes; some species shelter in sea urchins or crinoids.
Clingfishes are typically small fish, with most species less than 6 centimetres (2.4 in) in length. They have tapering bodies with a single dorsal fin, and flattened heads. In most species the pelvic fins are modified into a sucking disc. The lateral line is well developed, but may not extend to the posterior parts of the body.
The skin of clingfishes is smooth and scale-less, with a thick layer of protective mucus. They have a cryptic colouration, and in some cases can rapidly change colour to match their background.