Cape klipfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cape klipfish |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification |
Clinus brevicristatus, also known as the Cape klipfish, is a type of fish found in the warm waters off South Africa. It belongs to a group of fish called clinids. This fish loves to live in places with lots of seaweed, where it can hide. The Cape klipfish can grow up to about 12 centimetres (4.7 in) long.
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
The Cape klipfish has a body that is a bit flat from side to side. Its head is short, with a small dip behind its eyes. The front of its face, called the snout, is rounded and slightly pointy. It has fairly thin lips.
One cool feature is a clear, well-developed tentacle above the back of each eye. This tentacle has a flat stalk and a rounded tip with several small branches. The cirri (small, whisker-like growths) on its front nostrils are long and flat.
The first three spines on its dorsal fin (the fin on its back) form a low crest. There is a deep notch, or dip, after these three spines. The soft rays of the fin, which are behind the spines, are taller than the spines. All the dorsal spines have small cirri at their tips. The pectoral fins, on its sides, are rounded. Its tail fin is also rounded.
This fish looks stronger than other similar-sized klipfish. Its very noticeable tentacles above the eyes and the cirri on its nostrils help tell it apart. The shape of its dorsal fin is also unique. The small crest and the notches in the fin are key features.
Colors and Patterns
The Cape klipfish can have many different colors. Its main color is usually light grey or pale yellow. It often has about seven uneven bars across its body. These bars can be green, brown, or deep red. They extend to the edges of its dorsal and anal fins.
Between these bars, you might see irregular red bands. These bands go from the base of the dorsal fin, across its side, but not all the way to its belly. The tips of its dorsal fins are often a shiny golden color.
It also has a row of uneven white patches below its side line, from its pectoral fin to its tail. There's an uneven white band from the bottom of its eye to its gill cover. A white patch can be found on its throat. Its belly is usually silvery or whitish.
The bases of its pectoral fins are dark brown with a white patch. Its pectoral and tail fins are often see-through, light greenish-yellow. They might have rows of dark spots or fine dark brown bars. A small white spot is often seen at the base of the tail fin. The anal fin is greenish-yellow between the dark bars. Its ventral fins are pale greenish-yellow with dark spots or brown bars.
The head can be grey, pink, or mottled light brown. The top of its head is black. Its eyes have dark pupils and a lighter iris. The tentacles and nostril cirri are usually pale yellow.
How It's Different from Similar Fish
The Cape klipfish looks very similar to another fish called Clinus agilis. However, the Cape klipfish has more dorsal spines. Also, its first three dorsal spines form a small crest with a deep notch. The easiest way to tell them apart is that the Cape klipfish often has many see-through patches on its dorsal fin.
They also live in different places. The Cape klipfish prefers walls covered in plants, while Clinus agilis likes the bottom near sand.
Fish Names
Common Names
- Cape klipfish
- Low-crested klipfish
Scientific Name Meaning
The name 'brevicristatus' comes from Latin words. 'Brevi' means short, and 'cristatus' means crested. So, 'brevicristatus' means "short-crested," which refers to the low crest on its dorsal fin.
Old Names (Synonyms)
Sometimes, scientists give a fish a new name, but later find out it was already named. Here are some older names for the Cape klipfish:
- Petraites brevicristatus (used in 1946)
- Clinus (Clinus) brevicristatus (used in 1969)
Where It Lives and Its Home
This fish lives along the coast of South Africa, from Lambert's Bay down to False Bay. It almost always lives in areas with lots of seaweed. The yellowish Cape klipfish can be found on walls covered with yellow hydroids (small sea animals that look like plants). It doesn't usually sit on the outer branches of these plants. Instead, it hides underneath them. This fish relies on its camouflage to stay safe and doesn't usually swim away quickly.
How It Has Babies
The Cape klipfish is Viviparous. This means that the mother fish gives birth to live, fully formed young, instead of laying eggs.
