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Northern Clingfish

Gobiesox maeandricus

Northern Clingfish

Gobiesox maeandricus
At the Aquarium
Rocky Coast

At the Aquarium

Rocky Coast

Appearance

This fish has a very large head with a tapering body. It has a large suction disk on its underside, allowing it to cling to surfaces.

Habitat

Rocky habitats from the intertidal, including tidepools and cobble beaches, to depths of 459 feet, underneath rocks or on the blades or algae or eelgrass.

Diet

Worms, small crabs, snails, limpets, nudibranchs, and algae are all eaten.

Life History

Eggs are deposited on the underside of a boulder and are tended to by the male. Larvae are about 0.2 inches at hatching and may settle out of the plankton stage by 0.4 inches. This fish can reach a maximum length of 6.5 inches

IUCN Status

Not Evaluated

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

Its predators include gopher snakes and pelagic cormorants.
Range
Alaska to Baja California, Mexico
On the Oregon Coast
This fish can be found hiding under rocks in tidepools; it is rarely caught, even while recreationally fishing from shore.
Fun Facts
This fish uses its large suction disk to cling to rocks or blades of kelp. The cup also helps it stay moist if it is exposed to the air during low tide.

Citations & Other Resources

  • Global Biotic Interactions
  • Love, Milton S. Certainly more than you want to know about the fishes of the Pacific Coast: a postmodern experience. Really Big Press: Santa Barbara. 2011. 649 pp. ISBN 978-0-9628725-6-3.
  • Monterey Bay Aquarium
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About Oregon Coast Aquarium

Since opening in 1992, the Oregon Coast Aquarium has been a premier attraction on Oregon’s central coast and an enduring advocate for the health of our ocean. For over three decades this 501(c)3 non-profit organization has supported marine wildlife and fostered environmental stewardship through its education programs, community partnerships, and rehabilitation efforts. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 aquariums in the U.S., providing visitors with opportunities to connect with 15,000 animals spanning 300 different species. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is located at 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Rd., Newport, OR. Learn more about the Oregon Coast Aquarium and its vital work at aquarium.org, 541-867-3474. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the latest updates.

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