Common names: clingfish (English), chalaco (Espanol), chupapiedra (Espanol)
Gobiesox multitentaculus (Briggs, 1951)
Tentacled clingfish
Tadpole shaped, head broad, depressed; papillae on head well developed, some finger-like; snout with 3 short papillae in middle, about 5 well developed papillae on side; papillae around mouth numerous, 2 rows on top lip, 3 rows on chin, lobe of lower lip next to middle of chin with 2 barbels, 1 large and 2 small papillae on lower side of head behind jaw; top lip broad, much wider at front than at sides; rear nostril over front edge of eye, front nostril with a large 2-lobed flap; top jaws each with an irregular outer row of pointed teeth, & a patch of irregular teeth behind them, canines along side; lower jaw with 3-4 pairs of round-tipped incisors at front, a row of canines on sides; anus much closer to anal fin origin than sucker; sucker large, with papillae at front (a broad band), center (2 widely spaced patches) & rear, with 11-12 rows of papillae across front section, 2 widely spaced patches in center, each with 6-7 longitudinal rows of papillae; a large fleshy pad with free rear edge at base of pectoral fin; dorsal fin 14-15 rays; anal rays 10-11, fin reaches past tail fin base; pectoral rays 24-27; caudal rays 12-13.
(Preserved fish) Top and sides light brown with numerous close-set dark spots & streaks; dorsal, anal and tail with dark brown bases, white ray tips; a pale bar across base of tail fin.
Size: 8.2 cm.
Habitat: coastal streams, mainly in freshwater.
Depth: 0-10 m?
Panama to northern Peru.
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