Animal Species:Broad Clingfish, Creocele cardinalis (Ramsay, 1882)

Alternative Name/s

Cardinal Clingfish

Identification

The Broad Clingfish has a broad flattened head.  The species is normally a pale greenish colour with darker brown markings.

Size range

8 cm

Distribution

The species is endemic to Australia, occurring from southern New South Wales to South Australia, including Tasmania.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Broad Clingfish specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Habitat

Shallow inshore waters often intertidal areas, weedy areas and under jetties.

Classification

Species:

cardinalis

Genus:

Creocele

Family:

Gobiesocidae

Order:

Perciformes

Class:

Actinopterygii

Subphylum:

Vertebrata

Phylum:

Chordata

Kingdom:

Animalia

What does this mean?

References

1. Gomon, M.F., Bray, D. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 2008. The Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Reed New Holland. Pp. 928.
2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
3. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.

 

Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated: 28 July 2012

Tags fiehs, fishes, ichthyology, Broad Clingfish, Creocele cardinalis, Gobiesocidae, Cardinal Clingfish, broad flattened head, green, brown, < 10 cm, endemic to Australia, inshore water, intertidal water, weedy areas, under jetties,