Tomicodon abuelorum — Details

Clingfish learn more about names for this taxon

Overview

Comprehensive Description

Description

Learn more about this article

Common names: clingfish (English), chalaco (Espanol), chupapiedra (Espanol)
 
Tomicodon abuelorum Szelistowski, 1990

Grandparent's clingfish

Body relatively slender, elongate, head relatively slender (both viewed from above); 5-7 & 6-8 short, blunt rakers on 2nd  & 3rd  gill arches; front nostril without skin flap; 4-5 pairs of upper & 4 pairs of lower 3-pointed incisors, followed by 1-3 & 1-2 large canines, respectively, on each side; anus notably nearer origin of anal fin than sucker; pectoral 21-24 rays; only a small fleshy swelling at pectoral base; sucker disc with broad patch of papillae at front, no papillae in center, 4-5 rows of papillae across rear section; dorsal relatively long 10-12 rays; anal 8-10 rays; tail 10-12 rays. 


Translucent light olive above; 4-5 dark lines radiate from eye - to snout, to corner of mouth, behind eye; large dark spot on flank above pectoral base, often bordered at front by same-sized white spot; ~15 narrow brown bars, some in form of a Y, on body between pectoral and tail base, front bars oblique; all fins except pelvics with numerous small spots, concentrated along rays of pectoral; base of tail fin dark.

Size: 4.2 cm.

Habitat: mangrove roots.

Depth: 0-5 m.

El Salvador to Panama.

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© Shorefishes of the tropical eastern Pacific online information system. www.stri.org/sftep

Source: Shorefishes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific Online Information System

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Biology

Learn more about this article

Found in areas with mangrove prop roots, usually attached to, or moving about and feeding from, root surfaces at high tide (Ref. 42103). Stomach contents contained barnacle cirri and barnacle cyprid larvae, Sphaeroma peruvianum, small oysters and other bivalves, amphipods, and harpacticoid copepods (Ref. 42103).
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© WorldFish Center - FishBase

Source: FishBase

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Distribution

Range Description

Learn more about this article

This species is endemic to the Eastern Central Pacific, where it known from the Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica to Darien, in the Gulf of Panamá.
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

Source: IUCN

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Depth

Learn more about this article

Depth Range (m): 0 (S) - 5 (S)
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© Shorefishes of the tropical eastern Pacific online information system. www.stri.org/sftep

Source: Shorefishes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific Online Information System

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Zoogeography

Learn more about this article

See Map (including site records) of Distribution in the Tropical Eastern Pacific


 
Global Endemism: All species, East Pacific endemic, Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP) endemic

Regional Endemism: All species, TEP endemic, Continental TEP endemic, Panamic province endemic, Continent, Continent only

Residency: Resident

Climate Zone: Equatorial (Costa Rica to Ecuador + Galapagos, Clipperton, Cocos, Malpelo)

Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© Shorefishes of the tropical eastern Pacific online information system. www.stri.org/sftep

Source: Shorefishes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific Online Information System

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Learn more about this article

Eastern Central Pacific: Costa Rica.
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© WorldFish Center - FishBase

Source: FishBase

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Physical Description

Morphology

Learn more about this article

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 12; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 8 - 10; Vertebrae: 29 - 31
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© WorldFish Center - FishBase

Source: FishBase

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Size

Learn more about this article

Length max (cm): 4.2 (S)
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© Shorefishes of the tropical eastern Pacific online information system. www.stri.org/sftep

Source: Shorefishes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific Online Information System

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Size

Max. size

Learn more about this article

3.3 cm SL (male/unsexed; (Ref. 42103))
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© WorldFish Center - FishBase

Source: FishBase

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Diagnostic Description

Learn more about this article

4 (4-5) pairs of trifid incisors in upper jaw, 4 pairs in lower jaw; anus markedly closer to anal fin origin than to rear of disc; dorsal-caudal distance forward passing tip of, usually extending to about middle of, pectoral fin; margin of anterior nostril without dermal flap (Ref. 42103). Nearly transparent, light olive; body markings quite variable in intensity, ranging from dark and distinct to light and indistinct, sometimes giving an overall mottled appearance (Ref. 42103).
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© WorldFish Center - FishBase

Source: FishBase

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Type Information

Learn more about this article

Paratype for Tomicodon abuelorum Szelistowski
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Fishes
Year Collected: 1984
Locality: Mangroves At Estero Punta Morales, Eastern Shore of the Gulf of Nicoya., Costa Rica, Pacific
  • Paratype: Szelistowski, W. A. 1990. Copeia. 1990 (2): 500.
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 (CC BY 3.0)

© Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Fishes

Source: National Museum of Natural History Image Collection

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Learn more about this article

Paratype for Tomicodon abuelorum Szelistowski
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Fishes
Year Collected: 1984
Locality: Mangroves At Estero Punta Morales, Eastern Shore of the Gulf of Nicoya., Costa Rica, Pacific
  • Paratype: Szelistowski, W. A. 1990. Copeia. 1990 (2): 500.
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 (CC BY 3.0)

© Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Fishes

Source: National Museum of Natural History Image Collection

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Ecology

Habitat

Habitat and Ecology

Learn more about this article

Habitat and Ecology
This benthic species is found only in areas with Rhizophora mangrove prop roots. It is usually attached to root surfaces or moving about and feeding from them at high tide (Szelistowski 1990). Juveniles have been recorded from floating mangrove leaves, which they may use as a dispersal mechanism into mangrove root systems. Stomach contents contained barnacle cirri and barnacle cyprid larvae, Sphaeroma peruvianum, small oysters and other bivalves, amphipods, and harpacticoid copepods (Szelistowski 1990).

Systems
  • Marine
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

Source: IUCN

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Habitat

Learn more about this article

Salinity: Brackish, Non Marine

Inshore/Offshore: Inshore, Inshore Only

Water Column Position: Bottom, Bottom only

Habitat: Soft bottom (mud, sand,gravel, beach, estuary & mangrove), Soft bottom only, Estuary, Mangrove

FishBase Habitat: Demersal
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© Shorefishes of the tropical eastern Pacific online information system. www.stri.org/sftep

Source: Shorefishes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific Online Information System

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Environment

Learn more about this article

demersal; brackish; marine
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© WorldFish Center - FishBase

Source: FishBase

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Trophic Strategy

Learn more about this article

Feeds mainly of mollusk and crustaceans at high tide (Ref. 42103).
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© WorldFish Center - FishBase

Source: FishBase

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Feeding

Learn more about this article

Feeding Group: Carnivore

Diet: benthic microalgae, mobile benthic worms, mobile benthic crustacea (shrimps/crabs), mobile benthic gastropods/bivalves
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© Shorefishes of the tropical eastern Pacific online information system. www.stri.org/sftep

Source: Shorefishes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific Online Information System

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Life History and Behavior

Reproduction

Reproduction

Learn more about this article

Egg Type: Benthic, Pelagic larva
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© Shorefishes of the tropical eastern Pacific online information system. www.stri.org/sftep

Source: Shorefishes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific Online Information System

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Conservation

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List Assessment

Learn more about this article


Red List Category
EN
Endangered

Red List Criteria
B1ab(i,iii)

Version
3.1

Year Assessed
2010

Assessor/s
Hastings, P., Dominici-Arosemena, A.

Reviewer/s
Carpenter, K., Polidoro, B., Livingstone, S. (Global Marine Species Assessment Team)

Contributor/s

Justification
This species is common in mangrove habitat throughout its range. However, based on the remaining mangrove habitat within its distribution in 2000, this species extent of occurrence is estimated to be less than 2,000 km², and is severely fragmented with continuing habitat decline due to ongoing mangrove extraction and coastal development. It is listed as Endangered under criterion B.
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

Source: IUCN

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Conservation status

Learn more about this article

IUCN Red List: Not evaluated / Listed

CITES: Not listed
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© Shorefishes of the tropical eastern Pacific online information system. www.stri.org/sftep

Source: Shorefishes of the Tropical Eastern Pacific Online Information System

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Population

Learn more about this article

Population
In suitable mangrove habitat, this is a common species. Szelistowski (1990) reported mean densities of 0.8-1.4 fish per mangrove root in his study area in the Gulf of Nicoya.

Population Trend
Decreasing
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

Source: IUCN

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Threats

Threats

Learn more about this article

Major Threats
The major threat to this species is extensive habitat loss from extraction of Rhizophora mangroves in Central American countries (Jiménez 1994). Surveys in other regions show that the reduction of mangroves brought some fish species to extinction (Ferreira et al. 2005). As of 2000, the area of mangroves remaining in Costa Rica (including the Atlantic coast) and Panama combined was estimated at around 2,000 km² (FAO 2007).
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

Source: IUCN

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Learn more about this article

Endangered (EN) (B1ab(i,iii))
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 (CC BY-NC 3.0)

© WorldFish Center - FishBase

Source: FishBase

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Management

Conservation Actions

Learn more about this article

Conservation Actions
The range of the species overlaps with several Marine Protected Areas, including Humedal de Importancia Internacional Punta Patiño, a 30,000 ha RAMSAR site (WDPA 2006). Improved protection of remaining mangrove habitat in the range of the species is urgently needed.
Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

Source: IUCN

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Comment on or rate this article

Disclaimer

EOL content is automatically assembled from many different content providers. As a result, from time to time you may find pages on EOL that are confusing.

To request an improvement, please leave a comment on the page. Thank you!