Found from subtidal rocky areas to 56 m depth, usually in seaweed. Female lays white eggs in seaweed, male guards egg mass .
Physical description for Spotted kelpfish is currently being compiled.
Behavioural data for Spotted kelpfish is currently being reviewed.
The spotted kelpfish feeds largely on epiphytic crustaceans, such as gammarid amphipods and flabilliferan isopods. Examples include the hump-backed shrimp, Spirontocaris paludicola, and S. picta. Spirontocaris picta was found to be the significant portion of Gibbonsia elegans' stomach content in one study. These crustaceans are found on the same plants that Gibbonsia elegans live on, including brown and red algae. The epiphytic crustaceans also match the color of their plant habitat. In addition to crustaceans, polychaete worms and microgastropods have been found in abundance in the stomach contents of spotted kelpfish.
Oviparous . Eggs are attached in algal nest and brooded by male parent .
Marine; demersal; depth range ? - 56 m , usually ? - 20 m . Subtropical; 36°N - 22°N, 121°W - 110°W central California, USA to southern Baja California, Mexico, including Guadalupe Island.
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinus evides | Jordan & Gilbert | 1883 | Synonym |
| Gibbonsia evides | Jordan & Gilbert | 1883 | Synonym |
| Myxodes elegans | Cooper | 1864 | Synonym |
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 17 records indexed .
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