ANIMALIA

Porifera

Ctenophora

Cnidaria

Mollusca

Platyhelminthes

Annelida

Arthropoda

Other Phyla

Chordata

 Two-spotted Clingfish
 

Link to a Photograph Diplecogaster bimaculatus (images)

Common Name(s): Two-spotted Clingfish  Scientific Name: Diplecoegaster bimaculata bimaculata Family:  Gobiesocidae Usual Size:  40 mm

 

Identification: A very small flattened fish with a tapered head. A single dorsal fin at the rear of the body opposite the anal fin. Pelvic fins fused into a suction cup. Variable bright colours, notable a bright red, usually but often with two ocellated spots which may be hidden by the pectoral fins. It has a broader head than the similar fish with a ridge on the top of the head and without the broad stripe across the head.        Similar species:  Apletodon dentatus Breeding:  Summer (probable)  Habitat:  In shallow water, but rarely intertidal, and less likely to be found in kelp holdlfasts than the similar species.  Food: Small crustaceans (probable)  Range: British coasts, mostly in south and west with the only BMLSS records from the south Cornish coast. Records from the Cullercoats area, Newcastle, and from the coast of Norway.  Additional Notes:  Records prior to 1971 may be the similar species.  Information supplied by Andy Horton (BMLSS) with helpful information from Jon Makeham (Looe) and Frank Moen (Norway).  Information wanted: Please send any records of this fish, with location, date, who discovered it, how it was identified, prevalence, common name and any other details to  Shorewatch Project    EMail Glaucus@hotmail.com.  All messages will receive a reply.   Shorewatch Project Report  Forms   Link: