Gobiesox maeandricus (Girard, 1858)
Northern clingfish
photo by Love, M.

Family:  Gobiesocidae (Clingfishes and singleslits), subfamily: Gobiesocinae
Max. size:  16 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 8 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Revillagigedo Island, southeastern Alaska (Ref. 27436) to southern California, USA; also off Baja California, Mexico.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-16; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 12-14. Caudal fin well rounded; pectorals short and broad, a fleshy pulp between the base of the fin and the gill opening; pelvic fins united anteriorly by a papillose membrane, the rays are flexible and support the lateral rim of a prominent adhesive disc; the disc is completed posteriorly by a broad fringed fold of skin on the lower part of the body, and is separated from the pelvic fins by a deep notch (Ref. 6885). Light olive brown to cherry red, reticulated with darker or mottled with light shades; dark radiating lines from eyes and joining the eyes through a series of reticulations; white bars between eyes and in young across back and on edge of caudal fin (Ref. 6885).
Biology:  Found in intertidal rocky areas among algae, and on kelp (often high in kelp canopy) (Ref. 2850). May remain out of water under rocks or seaweeds (Ref. 31184). Feeds on small crustaceans and mollusks (Ref. 6885). Breathes air when out of water (Ref. 31184).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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