Rock sucker
The rock sucker is a unique species of clingfish belonging to the genus Chorisochismus, typically found in the shallow waters of the southern Atlantic Ocean off the coast of South Africa. Unlike most clingfish, which average around four inches in length, rock suckers can grow up to one foot (30 centimeters). They are characterized by their large, round sucking discs formed from their pectoral fins, which allow them to adhere to rocks and ledges, making them adept at navigating their rocky habitats.
As bottom-dwellers, rock suckers primarily feed on sea urchins, sea snails, and limpets, consuming limpets whole and later regurgitating their shells. Their reproduction involves females laying approximately 500 eggs in shallow waters, which are then fertilized by males; the eggs are secured to rocks or shells to prevent being swept away by currents. After hatching, juvenile rock suckers typically remain in shallow waters for about two years before moving to deeper areas. While their lifespan remains unknown, rock suckers exemplify the diverse adaptations of marine life in their ecosystem.
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Rock sucker
Most clingfish are four inches (10 centimeters) long, but rock suckers usually reach one foot (30 centimeters) long. Like other clingfish, rock suckers have a large, round disc under their heads. These discs help clingfish hold on to rocks and ledges.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Gobiesociformes
Family: Gobiesocidae
Genus: Chorisochismus
Species: Dentex
Although most clingfish grow to be less than four inches (10 centimeters) long, rock suckers are one of two clingfish species that grow to be about one foot (30 centimeters) long. Like other clingfish, rock suckers have large, round, sucking discs underneath their heads. These suckers, which are formed by the joining of their pectoral fins, help them stick to rocks and ledges. Like other clingfish, rock suckers are scaleless.
Rock suckers live amongst the rocks in shallow waters of the southern Atlantic Ocean off the coast of South Africa. Like other fish, rock suckers need oxygen to survive. They get the oxygen they need from the water in which they live. Rock suckers process the oxygen from the water by taking mouthfuls of water, moving the oxygen from within the water into their bloodstream, and then filtering the waste chemicals out through their gills.
Rock suckers are bottom-dwelling creatures that feed on sea urchins, sea snails, and limpets. They swallow limpets whole and regurgitate the shell later.
Spawning season for rock suckers begins when female rock suckers lay around 500 eggs in shallow waters. These eggs are stuck to rocks or shells so they do not wash away in the water's current. Male rock suckers swim over these eggs and fertilize them. This process of releasing and fertilizing eggs is called spawning. After an incubation period, or time of growth for the eggs, the young hatch. After hatching, young rock suckers usually stay in the shallow water for about two years, or until they are large and strong enough to survive independently in deeper waters.
The life span of rock suckers is unknown.
Bibliography
"Rocksucker." The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, www.iucnredlist.org/species/21110501/21907812#geographic-range. Accessed 15 Apr. 2024.
"Sucker Fish." A-Z Animals, 3 Apr. 2023, a-z-animals.com/animals/sucker-fish. Accessed 15 Apr. 2024.