Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6 - 8; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 6 - 7. Color uniform or blotched reddish to olive green or brown dorsally, paler ventrally. A bar of lighter color along the head between the eyes and a narrow horizontal dark stripe from the snout to the gill cover separating the darker dorsal pigment from the paler lower surface. Occasionally a variable row of white spots along the side of the body. Distinguished from other clingfish by its distinctive body form (robust and tapers abruptly behind the dorsal and anal fins).

Common Names

No common names available.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Gobiesociformes

Family: Gobiesocidae

Genus: Gastroscyphus

Species: Gastroscyphus hectoris (Günther, 1876)

Climate Zone

Location

Biology

Commonly amongst brown algae (Cystophora) in rock pools at the low tide level and subtidal areas. Sometimes found on seaweed exposed at low tide. Swims towards cover and positions itself like drifting algae (heads up tail down position, sculling with the pectoral fins) when disturbed.

Habitat

demersal