Trachelochismus melobesia Phillipps, 1927
photo by Conway, K.W.

Family:  Gobiesocidae (Clingfishes and singleslits), subfamily: Trachelochisminae
Max. size:  5 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 4 years
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 70 m
Distribution:  Southwest Pacific: endemic to New Zealand.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-11; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 7-8. Rose-pink in color, becoming scarlet on tail and fins. Pink with yellowish tinges ventrally. Deep reddish patch over most of body dorsally. Distinguished from other clingfishes by a broad, bluntly pointed head, with a thick, fleshy upper lip, no longitudinal groove below the eye but a line of papillae is usually present. The sucking disc has flattened papillae continuous across the anterior margin.
Biology:  Inhabits sheltered areas beneath rocks of the intertidal at mid to low tide level. Also found in subtidal areas. Feeds on small crustaceans and mollusks.
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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