Urchin clingfish (Dellichthys morelandi) fish species and information / pictures of Urchin clingfish - Dellichthys morelandi

Urchin clingfish (Dellichthys morelandi) fish species information

Scientific Name
Dellichthys morelandi

Common Name
Urchin clingfish

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-9; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9. Head and body purple or cream with blue spots. A band of pale color across nape. Distinguished from other clingfishes by its thin lips, exposed flap of skin across the snout and a small fleshy swelling at the base of the pectoral fin.

Classification

Classified By

Briggs, 1955

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Clingfishes (Gobiesociformes)

Family

Clingfishes and singleslits (Gobiesocidae)

Distribution

Region

Southwest Pacific

Distribution

Southwest Pacific: endemic to New Zealand.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

15 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal; depth range 0 - 15 m (Ref. 9003)

Trophic Level

3.39 s.e. 0.37 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

7.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.0000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Unknown

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (32 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated