Species: Gobiesox barbatulus, Lappetlip Clingfish

Gobiesox barbatulus Starks, 1913

Lappetlip Clingfish

Tadpole shaped, head broad, depressed, with well developed barbell like papillae; papillae on center of top lip, but none on snout above top lip, well developed barbells under and before eye; front nostril with a large fringed flap; top lip broad, much wider at front than at sides; top jaw with a deep patch of conical teeth at front, with canines or conical teeth on sides; lower jaw with 2 rows (outer row larger) of 1-3-round pointed incisors at front, a row of curved canines along side; 1 dorsal fin, at rear, no spines, 10-12; anal fin 8-9, like dorsal fin and under it; pectoral fin 22-27, a large fleshy pad with free rear edge at base of pectoral fin, free rear edge of that pad extends above to level of upper gill membrane attachment; sucker large, with papillae at front (a broad band, 7-10 rows deep), center (2 widely spaced patches, each with 3-5 longitudinal rows of papillae) & at rear; anus usually midway between sucker and anal fin origin, but may be nearer either of those; no scales; lateral line present as pores on head only.

Head and body with many short dark streaks; ~12 lines radiating from above, behind and below eye; dorsal, anal and tail fins dark, more so nearer edges, outer margins pale.

Reaches 5.4 cm.

Habitat: rocky intertidal and red mangroves in brackish water.

Depth range: 0-1 m.

The NW and SE Caribbean; Brazil.