Spotted Kelpfish
Gibbonsia elegans
- Least concern
- Card rarity: Common
- Fish
Gibbonsia elegans, the spotted kelpfish, is a species of clinid native to subtropical waters of the Pacific Ocean from central California, U.S. to southern Baja California, Mexico. It prefers subtidal rocky habitats with seaweed down to a depth of about 56 metres. This species can reach a maximum length of 16 centimetres. This species feeds on benthic crustaceans, gastropods, and polychaete worms. The genus Gibbonsia is named after William P. Gibbons who was a naturalist in the California Academy of Science. The spotted kelpfish occurs in three different color morphs, depending on which plants occur in an individual's habitat. Males and females do not show sexual dimorphism.
Classification
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Blenniiformes
- Family
- Clinidae
- Genus
- Gibbonsia