Description: Clingfish have a small sucker disc on their underside that allows them to cling to rocks, even where there is strong wave action or current. They have a flat body, up to 4 cm, with a triangular head, and smooth scaleless skin. This species has a short snout and one single dorsal fin, which is obviously separate from the caudal fin. As in Diplecogaster bimaculata, colour is highly variable and is generally not a good identification feature.

Habitat: Seems to prefer to be amongst algae or in kelp holdfasts. Usually well hidden.

Distribution: Scattered records from around Britain and Ireland. Quite rarely recorded but this could be due to confusion with Diplecogaster bimaculata or being well-hidden.

Similar Species: Very easily confused with Diplecogaster bimaculata, especially if the fish are females. The male Diplecogaster bimaculata can be reliably identified by the purple spots ringed with yellow behind his pectoral fins. Females may not be able to be distinguished in the field. Detailed examination of teeth, fin rays and head size relative to body may be required.

Key Identification Features:

• Small, smooth bodied fish with a short snout and triangular head.
• Sucker disc on underside.
• Single dorsal fin that is obviously separate to caudal fin.

Distribution Map from NBN: Apletodon dentatus at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Apletodon dentatus at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Apletodon dentatus

WoRMS: Apletodon dentatus at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Apletodon dentatus (Facciolà, 1887). AphiaID: 126510.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Chordata; Vertebrata; Gnathostomata; Osteichthyes; Actinopterygii; Actinopteri; Teleostei; Gobiesociformes; Gobiesocidae; Gobiesocinae; Apletodon