New 🐟 Mercury Safety Guide & Omega-3 Rankings Updated for 2026. View Omega-3 Rankings →

🌊 Marine Least Concern 🌡️ Subtropical

Nosestripe klipfish

Muraenoclinus dorsalis Bleeker, 1859
Max Length
10 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.3
Depth
-
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
14.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Nosestripe klipfish (Muraenoclinus dorsalis) is a ray-finned fish of the family Clinidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in benthic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 10 cm. With a trophic level of 3.3, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Scientific Name
Muraenoclinus dorsalis
Authority
Bleeker, 1859
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
10 cm
Trophic Level
3.3
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
14.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 41 - 48; Dorsal soft rays (total): 1; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 25 - 31. Color varies from green to brown, occasionally mottled; ocellus on shoulder; preserved specimens uniform buff .: elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Nosestripe klipfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Nosestripe klipfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Viviparous 🤰 Viviparous

Viviparous .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal. Subtropical; 27°S - 35°S Southeast Atlantic: Lüderitzbucht, Namibia to southern Natal, South Africa.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.3±0.4

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00501 × L3.06 (TL)
Max TL
10cm
Dorsal Spines
45
Dorsal Rays
1
Anal Spines
2
Anal Rays
28

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2010

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
14.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.3
Predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Bleeker, 1859

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Nosestripe Klipfish
🌍AFR Klipvis

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Clinus dorsalis Bleeker 1859 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 4 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for Nosestripe klipfish ↗
Suggest an Edit

Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.

Link to a scientific paper, FishBase, or other authoritative source
Report an Issue

Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.