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Dellichthys morelandi Briggs, 1955 Urchin clingfish |
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photo by
Caiger, P. |
| Family: | Gobiesocidae (Clingfishes and singleslits), subfamily: Trachelochisminae | |||
| Max. size: | 8.5 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 15 m | |||
| Distribution: | Southwest Pacific: endemic to New Zealand. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-9; Anal spines: 0-0; 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. | |||
| Biology: | Occurs in rock pools and the subtidal zone. Usually found beneath the spines of sea urchins. Individuals too large to be associated with sea urchins usually found beneath rocks or among shell debris. Feeds mainly on the tube feet and pedicellariae of its host sea urchins, Evechinus chloroticus (Ref. 33548) and on small crustaceans. | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 March 2024 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||