ANIMALIA

Porifera

Ctenophora

Cnidaria

Mollusca

Platyhelminthes

Annelida

Arthropoda

Other Phyla

Chordata

 Two-spotted Clingfish
 

Common Name(s): Two-spotted Clingfish  Scientific Name: Diplecoegaster bimaculata bimaculata Family:  Gobiesocidae Usual Size:  40 mm  Link to a Photograph Diplecogaster bimaculatus (images) Fishbase pictures entry Photograph by Dan Reynolds

 

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).  Reports: 29 August 2010 A sighting of the Two-spotted Clingfish. Location: at depth of 15 metres in Loch Creran, near Oban Time of finding: 15:20 hrs Finders: Dan Reynolds and Bryony Robinson Means of identification: fish was photographed in situ - see below   The small goby in this picture distracts the viewer's attention away from the distinct red partially ocellated spot on the flanks of the clingfish Photographs by Dan Reynolds Prevalence: Only one fish found in five dives in near vicinity, on the south shore of the upper part of Loch Creran, about half a mile above the narrows. Other details: Fish around 40-50 mm in length. Generally remained curled, did not move from a small area despite disturbance, showed ability to point eyes in different directions. "I think it was the two spotted species because of the red spot on the side and the relatively big head. There's a picture that looks particularly similar on Fishbase - both the reddish cheek and the red spot." Report and Photographs by Dan Reynolds Loch Creran (Marine Special Area of  Conservation) Fishbase Occurrences   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: