#5 Cling Fish

#5 Cling Fish

Common Name: The Northern Cling Fish

Description:
- Contain tapering bodies with single dorsal fins, and flattened heads.
- In most species, their pelvic fins are modified into a sucking disc.
- Well developed lateral line (may not extend to the posterior parts of the body).
- Possesses a backbone
- Skin: smooth and scale-less, with a thick layer of protective mucus.
- They contain a cryptic colouration (in some cases can rapidly change colour to match their background.
- About 7.5 cm or less in length
- Contains a thin tail.
- Hides under rocks and within seaweed.

Taxonomy: 
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Actinopterygii
- Order: Gobiesociformes
- Family: Gobiesocidae
- Genus: Gobiesox
- Species: G. maeandricus
- Binomial Name: Gobiesox maeandricus

Ecology:
- The cling fish blends in with its environment, making it hard for predators to attack.
- Generally feed on small crustaceans like shrimp and small mollusks.
- May prey on limpets or chitons.
- Its mouth and sucker disc are adapted for hunting.
- They are aggressive feeders, and in an artificial habitat they will quickly take food or bite your finger.
- Cling fish can be cannibals meaning they will eat their own kind.
- Males are often larger than females.