Heemstra's clingfish
📖 Overview
Heemstra's clingfish (Rhinolepadichthys heemstraorum), first described by Fujiwara & Motomura, 2021 is a tiny fish. Adults typically reach 4.00 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 0 to 26 metres. It occurs in Tropical waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal soft rays: 9. This species is distinguished from other members of the L. lineatus complex by the following set of characters: body comparatively deep, its depth 15.0- 17.1 (mean 15.9) % SL; adhesive disc is elliptical, its length and width 17.5-21.5 (19.3) and 11.8-15.2 (13.4) % SL, respectively, with ratio of length to width 1.30-1.54; anus is somewhat anterior, pre-anus length and disc to anus length 60.2=66.0 (64.0) and 22.8-27.5 (24.7) % SL, respectively; snout tip is directed somewhat downward, horizontal level usually between lower margins of eye and eye lens (lateral view); no yellow dots on body .Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Heemstra's clingfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 26 m . Tropical South Africa and Mauritius.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
👥 Community & Contribute
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