Species: Tomicodon clarkei, Coral Clingfish

Tomicodon clarkei Williams & Tyler, 2003

Coral Clingfish

Body and head relatively slender (both viewed from above); front nostril without a skin flap; front of both jaws with a single row of flattened incisors, some with 3 points; top jaw with 2 canines, 8 incisors, lower jaw 2 canines, 4 incisors; 1 dorsal fin, at rear, no spines, 7; anal fin like dorsal fin and under it; pectoral 20; only a small fleshy swelling at pectoral base; sucker disc with broad patches of papillae at front (5 rows) and rear (5 rows) but no papillae in center; front edge of sucker disc smooth, without fleshy tabs; tail fin 11 segmented rays; anus midway between sucker disc and anal fin origin; no scales; lateral line present as pores on head only.

Fresh fish: tan, with orange pink cast; no prominent markings.

Reaches 1.7 cm.

Known from a single specimen collected in coral in a high-energy groove and spur outer edge habitat.

Depth: 0-5 m.

The NW Caribbean.