| Clinus cottoides | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
 Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Blenniiformes |
| Family: | Clinidae |
| Genus: | Clinus |
| Species: | C. cottoides |
| Binomial name | |
| Clinus cottoides Valenciennes, 1836 | |
| Synonyms | |
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Clinus cottoides, the bluntnose klipfish, is a species of clinid that occurs in subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean around South Africa where it is a denizen of tide pools. This species can reach a maximum length of 15 centimetres (5.9 in) TL. This species has a varied diet of benthic organisms including algae, crustaceans (isopods, amphipods, ostracods, copepods), mollusks (gastropods, chitons) and polychaete worms. Comparing reproductive rates between males and females of the species, males tend to have a higher rate engaging in sexual activity. This results in a polygynandrous mating system.
Description
Body is slightly compressed, a relatively small head with a wedge shaped snout and obtuse profile angle. It has a cluster of 4 - 5 tentacles above each eye. The first 4 - 5 dorsal spines are slightly shorter than the rest, with no notches in the membrane between spines.
Colouration is typically yellow to dark brown with 4 to 7 distinct bars. Two dark stripes radiate from the eye towards the operculum, when young, these lines are separated by intermittent blue spots. It has a characteristic dark spot on the operculum and very large, dark eyes. The center of the eye is slightly behind the edge of lips.
Diagnostics
Dorsal fin: XXXI - XXXVI spines, 4 - 6 soft rays. Anal fin: II spines, 21 - 25.
Images
Representative images of this species can be found on the iNaturalist page for C. cottoides.
Reproduction
Just as all members of the Clinidae family, it is viviparous.
References
- Holleman, W.; Clements, K.D.; Williams, J.T. (2014). "Clinus cottoides". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T178997A1557283. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T178997A1557283.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Clinus cottoides". FishBase. April 2013 version.
- Food items for Clinus cottoides at www.fishbase.org.
- Scheepers, Martinus (2019). "Mating System, Reproductive Success, and Sexual Selection in Bluntnose Klipfishes (Clinus cottoides)". The Journal of Heredity. 110 (3): 351–360. doi:10.1093/jhered/esz008. PMID 30726981. Retrieved 2020-03-07.
| Taxon identifiers | |
|---|---|
| Clinus cottoides | |
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