Facultative air-breathing ; Adults occur in rock pools and surge zones. They may remain out of water under rocks or seaweed . They feed on mollusks and minute crustaceans, including barnacles. This agile species eludes predators by alternately remaining motionless, then rapidly darting to a new location. Feeding occurs even in the swash zone where the fish rapidly darts with the surge and clinging to the rock as the water recedes, often being left exposed on the damp open rock . Eggs are hemispherical and covered with numerous sticky threads that anchor them in the algae on the nesting sites . Larvae are planktonic which occur primarily in shallow, nearshore waters . They breathe air when out of water .
Dorsal spines (total): 18 - 21; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 14; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 20 - 23. : fusiform / normal.
Behavioural data for Twister is currently being reviewed.
Diet information for Twister is currently being compiled.
Eggs are deposited over the undersurface of a rock where they are fertilized and guarded by the male .
Marine; demersal; non-migratory; depth range 0 - 5 m . Temperate Southwest Pacific: endemic to New Zealand.
mollusks and minute crustaceans, including barnacles
No observations yet — be the first to log one!
View all observations for Twister ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.