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 with a triangular head, and smooth scaleless skin. This species has a long, wide, flattened snout and there is red-brown banding around the eyes. Males may have distinctive red cheeks, however these are not present in females. Body colouration is variable and, as with other species of clingfish, is not a reliable identification feature. This species is most commonly green-brown with hints of red, and may have blotches or saddles of darker colouration.

Habitat: In or beside rock crevices, from the intertidal down to around 20 m.

Distribution: Scattered records from around Britain and Ireland, but appears to be absent or very rare on east coast of Britain.

Similar Species: Could be confused with Lepadogaster pupurea but it has two blue spots on the back of the head and distinctive nasal 'flaps' that Lepadogaster candollei lacks.

Key Identification Features:

• Flat bodied fish with a triangular head.
• Sucker disc underneath body.
• Long, flattened, wide snout.
• Dorsal fin is very close to, or overlapping, caudal fin.
• No blue spots on back of head, and no nasal flaps.

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

iNaturalist: Lepadogaster candollei at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Lepadogaster candollei at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Lepadogaster candolii Risso, 1810. AphiaID: 272526.

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