New Zealand urchin clingfish
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| Dellichthys morelandi Briggs, 1955 |
The New Zealand urchin clingfish, Dellichthys morelandi, is a clingfish, the only species in the genus Diplocrepis. It is found all around New Zealand wherever sea urchins are present, from low water to about 5 m, on rocky coastlines. Its length is between 2 to 3 cm.
The New Zealand urchin clingfish has a flattened body, a pointed snout, and small dorsal and anal fins set well back near the tail. Both sexes are pale coloured with blue dots.
Found mainly between the spines of sea urchins but has the ungrateful habit of eating the tube feet and pedicellariae of its host. When it becomes too large for its host it moves to rocky and shell strewn areas.
[edit] References
- Dellichthys morelandi (TSN 642602). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 11 March 2006.
- "Dellichthys morelandi". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. January 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.
- Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand, (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1982) ISBN 0-00-216987-8
