Rocksucker

📖 Overview

Rocksucker (Chorisochismus dentex) is a ray-finned fish of the family Gobiesocidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in benthic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 30 cm. With a trophic level of 3.2, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 9; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 6 - 7. : elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Rocksucker is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Feeding varies with age. Juveniles mostly feed on small crustaceans. When between 4 and 8 cm (1.5–3 in) long, they gradually change to an adult diet. Adults are specialized feeders of patellid limpets (almost 75% of their diet), but also take significant quantities of other sea snails and sea urchins, and low levels of chitons. Limpets are typically strongly attached to the rock surface and are difficult to dislodge. First the fish perches next to its prey. It then rapidly lunges forward and up, dives down with its mouth open, inserts its relatively large, fang-like upper front teeth below the edge of the limpet and flips it. It is immediately swallowed whole and the entire sequence typically only lasts about one second. It later regurtiaites the shell, after the flesh has been digested. The prey can be quite large compared to the size of the fish. A 12.2 cm-long (4.8 in) C. dentex contained a 3.1 cm (1.2 in) limpet. == References ==

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal. Subtropical Southeast Atlantic: Namibia (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

🔍 Similar Species

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 3 records indexed .

👥 Community & Contribute