Gastrocyathus gracilis Briggs, 1955
Slender clingfish
photo by Conway, K.W.

Family:  Gobiesocidae (Clingfishes and singleslits), subfamily: Haplocylicinae
Max. size:  4.5 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 4 years
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 7 m
Distribution:  Southwest Pacific: endemic to New Zealand.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5-6; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 5-7. Uniform red brown to yellowish with variable narrow bands along the head, level with the eye on the dorsal surface of the body, often breaking up into spots on the sides. Fins transparent. Distinguished from other clingfishes by its small size with a slender body tapering behind the head and the pointed fleshy tip on the upper jaw that overhangs the lower jaw.
Biology:  Found amongst weed at low tide, and on brown algae in the subtidal zone. Appears to be restricted to algal species with strap-like fronds. Feeds mainly on harpacticoid copepods.
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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