Apletodon barbatus Fricke, Wirtz & Brito, 2010
Barbel clingfish
Apletodon barbatus
photo by Wirtz, P.

Family:  Gobiesocidae (Clingfishes and singleslits), subfamily: Lepadogastrinae
Max. size:  1.42 cm SL (male/unsexed); 1.13 cm SL (female)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 5 - 15 m
Distribution:  Eastern Central Atlantic: Cape Verde Islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 4-5; Anal soft rays: 5-6. This small species is distinguished by the following characters: dorsal-fin rays 4-5, anal-fin rays 5-6, pectoral-fin rays 23-25; males with head width 2.4-2.8 in SL and anus with distinct papillae; anal-fin length in distance between anus and anal fin origin 1.4-1.7; both sexes with blunt snout, broadly rounded; preorbital length 3.2-5.3 in head length; males with conspicuous white maxillary barbel; in life, head and body with numerous dark brown spots; double white spot near the anus (Ref. 83483).
Biology:  Common on hard substrate, coarse sand and coralline algae (Ref. 83483).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 15 July 2014 (B2ab(iii)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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