northern clingfish
Gobiesox maeandricus
Small rocky-shore fish of the Pacific, which clings to rocks with an adhesive disc on its belly. It has commercial use and appears in public aquariums.
Also called: peixe-ventosa-do-norte, peixe-ventosa, pejesapo, Northern clingfish
- maximum
- 16 cm
- depth
- 0–8 m
who is the northern clingfish
The northern clingfish belongs to the family Gobiesocidae and reaches 16 cm. It lives on rocky shores, from the intertidal zone to 8 m deep, often in the canopy of giant kelp. It occurs from southeastern Alaska to southern California, in the United States, and also in Baja California, in Mexico. It feeds on small crustaceans and mollusks. It has commercial use and also appears in public aquariums. Because it breathes air, it can stay out of the water hidden under rocks or algae.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the northern clingfish.
fun facts
- It can stay out of the water, hidden under rocks or algae, and breathe air.
identification
Elongated body, light olive-brown to cherry-red, with a reticulated pattern. Dark lines run from the eyes, and there are white bars between the eyes and, in juveniles, on the back and along the edge of the caudal fin, which is well rounded. The pectoral fins are short and broad, and the pelvic fins are joined into an adhesive disc on the belly.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
In Latin America, only in Mexico, in Baja California. The species occurs from southeastern Alaska to southern California, in the United States.
Habitat: Rocky shores in the intertidal zone and among algae, down to 8 m.
rules for the northern clingfish
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
Harmless to anglers. Keep the fish damp when releasing it, since it can breathe air out of the water.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00617, b = 3.15; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Gobiesox maeandricus (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Gobiesox maeandricusNames by country and language.