Family Clinidae
clinids, kelpfishes, klipfishes, and scaled blennies

The Clinidae family is widely variable. Most sources estimate about 20 genera and 75 species, with some casting a more inclusive net to arrive at around 40 genera and 180 species. While most notable for their diversity, clinids tend to have spines on the dorsal fin and hair-like growths around the head called cirri, sometimes pronounced enough to give the fish its common name, as in the case of the sarcastic fringehead. For the most part cryptically marked bottom feeders, many clinids change color near spawning time. Many are egg-layers, but some give birth to live young. (Böhlke and Chaplin, 1994; Moyle and Cech, 2000; Nelson, 1994; Springer, 1998; Thresher, 1984; Wheeler, 1975)

Clinids primarily occur along temperate coasts in both northern and southern hemispheres. Many species are found in the waters of southern Australia and southern Africa, where they have in many regions become the dominant intertidal fishes. They also inhabit areas of the Bahamas, the Indian Ocean, and the Pacific coast of the United States. (Böhlke and Chaplin, 1994; Moyle and Cech, 2000; Nelson, 1994; Springer, 1998; Wheeler, 1975)

A marine family, clinids are mostly bottom-dwellers (benthic) (see an exception below in Predation). They occupy various habitats in shallow water, including tide pools, coastal reefs, under stones, or amongst sea grass or algae. They are mostly found in intertidal zones of temperate waters and tend to live in close association with seaweed. (Böhlke and Chaplin, 1994; Helfman, Collete, and Facey, 1997; Moyle and Cech, 2000; Nelson, 1994; Springer, 1998; Wheeler, 1975)

The Clinidae family has been divided into the following three tribes: Ophiclinini, which contains four genera and 12 species, Clinini, encompassing 11 genera and about 52 species, and Myxodini, with five genera and about nine species. Böhlke and Chaplin (1994) include certain fishes in the Clinidae family that many researchers attribute to other families, such as Emblemariidae and Chaenopsidae. (Böhlke and Chaplin, 1994; Nelson, 1994)

Clinids appear in a wide variety of shapes and forms. Most have small, round (cycloid), embedded scales, although some are scaleless. Their snouts are often pointed and their heads blunt. Other common elements may include the possession of fixed conical teeth and cirri, or fleshy hair-like projections, on the head. Clinids tend to have more spines than rays on the dorsal fin, which usually begins close to the head. The first few spines are often longer than the others and separated from the rest of the fin. Clinids tend to be cryptically colored to match their surrounding habitat. Most are small fish, measuring as little as 5 cm, but Heterostichus rostratus, or giant kelpfish, can reach 60 cm (Click here to see a fish diagram). (Böhlke and Chaplin, 1994; Helfman, Collete, and Facey, 1997; Moyle and Cech, 2000; Nelson, 1994; Springer, 1998; Thresher, 1984)

Clinids characteristically exhibit sexual dimorphism. In some genera, such as Labrisomus and Malacoctenus, the sexes have permanent color differences, with the male usually more colorful than the female. Such color differences may be due to each sex adapting to separate habitats. However, many clinids display temporary color differences during spawning seasons. Males in some species of Labrisomus and Paraclinus, for example, darken considerably during spawning and the female becomes almost white. Males and females in many clinid groups can be distinguished by minor differences in the form of the urogenital papilla. In some cases males are larger and have larger jaws than females. Intromittent organs are found on males of Starksia, as that genus is ovoviviparous. (Springer, 1998; Thresher, 1984)

Most clinids lay eggs, but some bear live young. All clinids occurring in the Indo-West Pacific bear live young, while all the egg-laying species (7 or 8) occur variously within the eastern Pacific, Mediterranean, and Atlantic. The species for which information is available, Paraclinus marmoratus, hatches from its eggs after 10 days. Rate of development varies; some clinids have a planktonic stage lasting less than 24 hours, while others have an extended larval stage. Little is known about the development of starksiins, which bear live young. Apparently the fertilized eggs receive no nourishment from the mother, as do the eggs of some clinids. (Thresher, 1984)

In general most small reef fishes live between three and five years. (Moyle and Cech, 2000)

Most clinids are territorial. They tend to be bottom dwellers and associate with seaweed, moving within an environment to which their coloring is adapted. Their coloring often changes during spawning. Males and females meet in order to spawn, with the male serving an active role in chasing away other fish, and he may stimulate her to continue spawning by touching her abdomen. In the Bahamas Hemiemblemaria swims freely with schools of wrasse, mimicking them. (Böhlke and Chaplin, 1994; Springer, 1998; Thresher, 1984)

Communication during spawning has been observed in clinids, with the male darkening in response to the paling of the female. Forms of communication unrelated to spawning are not known. (Thresher, 1984)

Clinids are primarily carnivorous bottom-feeders who consume small fishes and invertebrates from worms to crustaceans. (Böhlke and Chaplin, 1994; Springer, 1998; Wheeler, 1975)

Clinids are usually cryptically marked to avoid detection by predators. Colors vary in order to match the fishes’ background. In the Bahamas Hemiemblemaria swims with schools of wrasse, mimicking them. Male clinids chase away other fish while spawning, and often guard the nest of eggs. (Böhlke and Chaplin, 1994; Moyle and Cech, 2000; Springer, 1998; Thresher, 1984)

Clinids are the dominant fishes in some temperate intertidal regions. They live in association with kelp beds where they help regulate populations of their prey, which are mostly small fishes and invertebrates from worms to crustaceans. (Moyle and Cech, 2000; Wheeler, 1975)

No specific information was found concerning any negative impacts to humans.

The brilliant markings of some clinids could make them valuable in the aquarium trade, and many could be easy to raise in captivity, but this has not been done so far. (Thresher, 1984)

Currently, there is no known conservation threat to any member of this family. (The World Conservation Union, 2002)