© Baker, J.L. (2009) Marine Species of Conservation Concern in South Australia Full citation Baker, J.L. (2009) Marine Species of Conservation Concern in South Australia: Volume 1 - Bony and Cartilaginous Fishes. Report for the South Australian Working Group for Marine Species of Conservation Concern. J. Baker (consultant); Science and Conservation Division, and Coast and Marine Conservation branches of S.A. Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH); Marine and Coastal Community Network of S.A. (MCCN), and Threatened Species Network (TSN). Web version published by Reef Watch, South Australia.

---

GOBIESOCIDAE: CLINGFISHES 

© B Hutchins, ex-W.A. Museum

 
The Gobiesocidae (Clingfishes) is a family of small to very small, mostly cryptic fishes, distributed in all tropical and temperate marine waters, and in some fresh waters (Australian Museum, 2004c), but the latter not in Australia. Most species are shallow-water, bottom-dwellers on reefs, some associated with invertebrate hosts such as sponges, sea urchins or crinoids (Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 1994; Nelson, 1994, cited by Froese and Pauly, 2008). Most species are capable of adhering to the substrate, by using their ventral sucking disc, formed in part by the union of the ventral fins. Clingfishes are scaleless, and the body is covered by a thick layer of mucous (Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 1994). 
Members of the genus Alabes (the Shore-Eels) have an eel-like body, caudal fin with rays, but no dorsal or anal fins (represented by low vertical folds of skin without rays); some have no pelvic fins (Hutchins and Morrison, 2004); and these fishes possess only a rudimentary sucking disc, or have no disc at all (Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 1994; B. Hutchins, ex-W.A. Museum, pers. comm., 2007).
 
Some authors have considered that the eel-like Shore-Eels should not be included in the Clingfish family, due to their dissimilarity to other gobiesocids, but they are included in a sub-family (Cheilobranchinae) of the Gobiesocidae. About 8 of the 11 species in this Australian genus are found along the southern coast (Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 2008). Hutchins and Morrison (2004) described five new species of shore-eels (genus Alabes)from southern Australia: A. elongata, A. gibbosa and A. occidentalis (all from Western Australia, the latter possibly also occurring in S.A.); A. obtusirostris (known from southern Victoria and Western Australia, hence possibly also occurs in S.A.); and A. scotti (N.S.W., Victoria and Tasmania). The first three species inhabit shallow nearshore reef and/or weed areas, and the last two have been found only on soft bottoms in deeper coastal waters (24–65 m) (Hutchins and Morrison, 2004).
 
Globally, there are more than 40 genera, and at least 158 named species in Gobiesocidae (Froese and Pauly, 2008), plus a number of species awaiting description. Most are found in shallow water, but a few occur in outer continental shelf and slope waters (e.g. to 350m), including the uncommonly recorded Alabes bathys, known from Tasmanian waters (Hutchins, 2006). There are about 15 genera in Australian waters, including 10 genera along the southern coastline (Hutchins, in Gomon et al., in prep.) Many of the species that occur in seagrass are small and difficult to identify, unlike the reef species, which are usually more colourful and distinct (Kuiter, 1996a). The taxonomy of Australian clingfishes is being revised by Dr Barry Hutchins, formerly of the West Australian Museum (B. Hutchins, pers. comm., 2003). Recent work by B. Hutchins has increased the number of known clingfish species (not including shore-eels) to at least 34, mostly Australian endemics, particularly seagrass-dwelling species that have been discovered during recent surveys in Western Australia, and some of those species are likely to also occur in South Australia.
 
The Gobiesocidae is one of the few families that account for much of the endemism in the southern Australian fish fauna (Kelleher et al., 1996), in this case due to the “nesting” behaviour and thus low dispersal ability of the clingfishes. Characteristics of the clingfishes that make them vulnerable to impact include strong site association; habitat specificity; parental care of eggs and young at the “nesting” site; poor swimming ability, and low dispersal ability. 
 
Over time, the abundance of gobiesocids in an area can vary significantly. For example, in Port Phillip Bay in Victoria, Neira and Sporcic (2002) reported that larvae from 9 species in Gobiesocidae were recorded during intensive fortnightly sampling in 1995/95, but were absent from previous (but equivalent) samples taken in 1983/84. The authors suggested that some of the main differences between the two surveys may be attributable to major ecosystem changes in the bay, particularly the introduction and establishment of exotic marine species (Neira and Sporcic, 2002). Other explanations are possible, including the fact that recruitment in clingfishes is a sporadic event, and varies from year to year (B. Hutchins, ex-W.A. Museum, pers. comm., 2007).  
 
Examples of the more common clingfishes (plus 3 shore-eels) that occur in southern Australian States, including South Australia, are as follows:
 
Spade-Nose Clingfish / Spadenose Clingfish Cochleoceps spatula, a well-camouflaged species, considered to be common in shallow Posidonia seagrass beds in S.A. (e.g. Gulf St Vincent and Spencer Gulf) and in W.A., particularly in protected coastal bays (Hutchins and Swainston, 1986; Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 1994, 2008). The species is also found in habitats with green macroalgae. Spade-nose Clingfish has recently been recorded from Bosanquet Bay on the west coast of S.A. (K. Smith, unpubl. data, 2004); also from beam trawl samples in seagrass beds in Spencer Gulf (B. McDonald, unpubl. data, cited by Brook, 2002); at Proper Bay and Surfleet Cove in the Port Lincoln area (K. Smith, unpubl. data, 2004); Investigator Strait (e.g. Marion Bay), and at various locations in south-western Gulf St Vincent, such as Edithburgh (several records), Stansbury (at least 7 recent records) and Wool Bay (K. Smith, unpubl. data, 2003-2005). This species, which grows to about 7cm, is reasonably common, but has in the past been confused with Broadhead Clingfish Cochleoceps bassensis, which has a more easterly distribution (Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 2008).
Western Cleaner Clingfish Cochleoceps bicolor, a small (to 4cm), yellow or orange gobiesocid, densely covered with dark to bright red spots (usually very red in deep water), the posterior half of body more dusky (B. Hutchins, W.A. Museum, pers. comm., 2007). The dorsal surface has narrow blue lines, extending down the sides (Kuiter, 1996b).  The species is considered common in southern Australian coastal waters, from Port Phillip Bay in Victoria, though South Australia, to Lancelin in Western Australia, occurring in depths to at least 40m (Hutchins and Swainston, 1986; Kuiter, 1996b; Australian Museum, 2002d). The species is occasionally seen clinging to other fishes, most likely feeding on their protective mucous layer, as well as picking off skin parasites (Shepherd et al., 2006; Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 2008). Western Cleaner Clingfish is found mainly in the vicinity of reefs in coastal waters, where it sets up cleaning stations, often on sponges and ascidians, kelp beds, or in caves, and cleans other fish which visit (Hutchins and Swainston, 1986; Hutchins, 1991a; Edgar, 2000; Shepherd et al., 2006);
Broadhead Clingfish Cochleoceps bassensis, This species, which grows to about 7cm (Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 2008), is found mainly in Victoria and Tasmania, reportedly extending into South Australia. The species lives on sponges attached to flat bottom, at depths to 40m, and is also found on jetty piles (Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 1994, 2008);
Cardinal Clingfish / Broad Clingfish Creocele cardinalis: One of the larger clingfishes (to 7.5cm), from a monotypic genus (Hutchins, in Gomon et al., in prep.). The species has been recorded from the Bass Strait / northern Tasmania area, Victoria, and South Australia (e.g. Kangaroo Island) (Hutchins and Swainston, 1986; Kuiter, 1993, 1996b), but the South Australian record has never been confirmed (B. Hutchins, W.A. Museum, pers. comm., 2003). The species is considered common in the coastal and estuarine waters of Tasmania and Victoria (Hutchins and Swainston, 1986). Cardinal Clingfish is cryptic, and is usually found under rocks (Kuiter, 1993), in intertidal to subtidal reefs with macroalgae, and is also found in rock pools, and under jetties (Hutchins and Swainston, 1986; Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 1994, 2008). Cardinal Clingfish is relatively common in inshore waters, but usually overlooked because of its small size and cryptic habits (Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 2008). The species is collected in Tasmania for the aquarium industry. The permitted annual catch limit is 250 individuals, with a fishing block limit (6 x 6 nautical miles) of 25 individuals (DPIWE Tasmania, 2005b; Australian Government DEH, 2005b);
Kuiter’s Deepsea Clingfish Kopua kuiteri: Known mainly from N.S.W., Victoria and W.A., but probably occurs along the entire southern coast of Australia (Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 2008). The type specimen was collected in N.S.W. (Hutchins, 1991b; Australian Museum 2007a). This species, which grow to about 5cm long, is found in deep offshore waters, with specimens collected from 92m – 408m to date. Kopua kuiteri inhabits empty mollusc shells (Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 2008);
Smoothsnout Clingfish Aspasmogaster liorhyncha, a small (to almost 5cm) greenish to dusky brown gobiesocid, widespread in southern waters from New South Wales through to Tasmania, Victoria, S.A. and W.A. (Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 1994, 2008; Kuiter, 1996b). Smooth-snout Clingfish is found on shallow coastal rocky reefs in the intertidal and shallow subtidal (usually in ledges, often with sea urchins) and has also been recorded near jetties (Kuiter, 1993, 1996b; Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 1994). The species generally occurs in the same areas as A. tasmaniensis (see below), but more often with sea urchins, and those individuals found around sea urchins usually have a reddish-purple abdomen (Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 2008).
Tasmanian Clingfish Aspasmogaster tasmaniensis, a relatively large (to 8cm) gobiesocid of variable colour (shades of pink, brown, green or yellow), usually with distinct regular dark bands across back and head (Hutchins and Thompson, 1986; Kuiter, 1996b; Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 2008). The species occurs along the south coast, from Victoria and Tasmania, to S.A. and W.A. (Hutchins and Thompson, 1986; Kuiter, 1993, 1996a). The Tasmanian Clingfish is common on coastal rocky bottoms (often under rocks) and rubble, in shallow protected subtidal and intertidal areas (bays and estuaries); also found in tidal pools and under jetties, usually to around 10m depth (Kuiter, 1993, 1996a; Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 1994, 2008; Edgar, 2000). The species is commonly encountered when turning over rocks and rubble in shallow embayment, especially near piers and wharfs (Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 1994, 2008). Tasmanian Clingfish is collected in Tasmania for the aquarium industry. The permitted annual catch limit is 250 individuals, with a fishing block limit (6 x 6 nautical miles) of 25 individuals (DPIWE Tasmania, 2005b; Australian Government DEH, 2005b);
Smallfin (or Little) Clingfish Parvicrepis parvipinnis, a small (to 3cm), gobiesocid of variable colour (shades of green, including brownish or yellowish green, usually with some darker spotting) (Kuiter, 1996b). The species is commonly recorded from just north of Sydney, across southern Australia, including Victoria, Tasmania, and S.A., to the south-west coast of W.A. (Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 1994; Kuiter, 1996b). Individuals from N.S.W. and W.A. have fewer vertebrae than those from the south coast, and thus more than one species may be present (Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 2008). The Smallfin Clingfish occurs in shallow vegetated reefs and in seagrass beds, mostly in the intertidal (Kuiter, 1993, 1996b; Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 1994). A number of the museum specimens in S.A. were recorded from Kangaroo I. (Australian Museum data; South Australian Museum data, cited in OZCAM database, 2008);
Spiny Clingfish Posidonichthys hutchinsi = Genus A sp. 1 (Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 1994): A small species of clingfish (around 2.5cm - Briggs, 1993; Hutchins, in Gomon et al., in prep.) found commonly in S.A. and W.A., and one of only two members of the genus known to date. The species was described by Briggs (1993), from specimens collected in the Fiddlers Bay (south of Tumby Bay) in South Australia. The Spiny Clingfish is found in sheltered seagrass beds, on leaves of (e.g.) Posidonia australis and Amphibolis, and appears to be most common from just beneath the surface, down to about 2m (Briggs, 1993). Examples of recent records in S.A. include Bosanquet Bay on the west coast of S.A.; Surfleet Cove, Port Lincoln area of south-western Spencer Gulf; and the Stansbury area in western Gulf St Vincent (K. Smith, unpubl. data, 2003-2005). Posidonichthys hutchinsi is considered to be very abundant (B. Hutchins, W.A. Museum, pers. comm., 2003);
Common Shore-Eel / Red-banded Shore-Eel Alabes dorsalis, a larger gobiesocid (to 12cm) of extremely variable and often bright colour, ranging from brown to green or orange; sometimes with lateral spotting (Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 1994; Kuiter, 1996b). The species is widespread in eastern and southern Australia and Tasmania (Springer and Fraser, 1976; Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 1994; Kuiter, 1996b). This species is very common in Port Philip Bay and Westernport Bay in Victoria (Kuiter, 1996b), and also in Tasmania (Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 2008). The species was apparently once common in Sydney rock pools, but is now considered rare north of Victoria. However, it is noted that in a study during the early 2000s in N.S.W., Common Shore-eel was recorded in rock pools (Griffiths et al., 2004). Common Shore-Eel inhabits intertidal and shallow subtidal areas of reef and seagrass, to around 10m, and is often found under rocks or shells (Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 1994, 2008; Kuiter, 1996). Common Shore-eel is often found by waders turning over rocks and shells along seashores, and is seen more often than other shore-eels, likely due to its greater size (Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 2008). The species is collected in Tasmania for the aquarium industry. The permitted annual catch limit is 250 individuals, with a fishing block limit (6 x 6 nautical miles) of 25 individuals (DPIWE Tasmania, 2005b; Australian Government DEH, 2005b);
Dwarf Shore-Eel Alabes hoesei, a small (to about 4cm) greenish-coloured, eel-like gobiesocid (Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 1994), which is almost transparent. The species is widespread in southern Australian States and Tasmania (Springer and Fraser, 1976; Hutchins, in Gomon et al.,1994; Kuiter, 1996b), and the type specimen was collected from Robe in South Australia (Springer and Fraser, 1976). The species is found in the intertidal, down to several metres deep, and inhabits estuarine areas, shallow seagrass beds, and shallow reef areas adjacent to seagrass, where it resides in light brown-coloured macroalgae (Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 1994, 2008; Kuiter, 1996b); and
Western Shore-Eel Alabes occidentalis: a small (to 4cm) species with a tiger-like pattern of stripes in the male (Hutchins and Morrison, 2004), known from shallow seagrass beds in Western Australia. South Australian specimens of the south-eastern species A. parvula might actually be A. occidentalis, but more specimens must be examined before the species in S.A. can be ascertained (Hutchins and Morrison, 2004; B. Hutchins, pers. comm., 2007).  
 
The species below for which synopses are included, are some of the less common species of clingfish that occur in South Australia. A number of other less commonly recorded species, particularly species related to Grass Clingfish, are likely to occur in South Australia, but are not included in synopses below because the taxonomic membership of the family is currently being revised, and also, the existence and distribution of a number of species in S.A. is not well known, due to lack of targetted sampling. Unnamed gobiesocids include various species in genera A, B, C, D, E, and F (see Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 1994, and Western Australian Museum, 2003). During the past decade, a number of seagrass-dwelling species have been discovered by B. Hutchins (ex-W.A. Museum) following surveys of reefs and seagrass beds in Western Australia. Previously, only two species of clingfish were known from seagrass habitat, but more than 20 species are now known. Examples of newly discovered taxa include several new species in the genus Alabes (shore-eels) (Hutchins and Morrison, 2004), and clingfish in the unnamed genera D, E, F, and G (Western Australian Museum, 2003). B. Hutchins (W.A. Museum, pers. comm., 2003) believes that a considerable number of clingfish species not currently known in South Australia probably occur here, but have not been observed, due to lack of targeted sampling, and the small, cryptic nature of the species.  
 
Although some of the unnamed seagrass-dwelling and reef-dwelling gobiesocids are not discussed in synopses below, the vulnerable characteristics of the whole clingfish family are noted, including limited distribution; strong site association / habitat specificity; parental care of eggs and young at the “nesting” site; poor swimming ability, and low dispersal ability. Therefore, gobiesocids as a group should be monitored if possible, with provision for listing of species in the family if appropriate.
 
Some of the lesser known and possibly uncommon members of the family that are currently known in South Australia are discussed in synopses below. It is likely that if nearshore habitats were to be more systematically surveyed for small cryptic fishes, new species in the Gobiesocidae (or at least forms within species) would be readily discovered.
 

Associated taxa

Obscure Clingfish / Obscure Little Clingfish	Parvicrepis sp. 2 (in Gomon et al., 1994)
Long-Snout Clingfish	Parvicrepis sp. 1 (Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 1994 and Kuiter, 1996b)
Brown-spotted Spiny Clingfish / Kelp Clingfish	Genus A, sp. 2 (Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 1994) Genus 2, sp. 1 (in Kuiter, 1996b)
Rat Clingfish	Genus B sp. (Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 1994)
Grass Clingfish, Slender Clingfish and other seagrass-dwelling gobiesocids	(undescribed – e.g. Genus C / Genus 1, amongst others – see Hutchins, in Gomon et al., 1994; Kuiter 1996b; W.A. Museum, 2003)
South Australian Spiny Clingfish	Genus A  sp. 4  (B. Hutchins. pers. comm., 2007)