Green Rat Clingfish, Barryichthys algicola Conway, Moor & Summers 2019
A Green Rat Clingfish, Barryichthys algicola, WAM P.27559-007, from St. Helens, Tasmania. Source: Barry Hutchins, Fig. 3D&E, in Conway, Moore & Summers (2019) ZooKeys No. 864: 35-65. License: CC by Attribution
Summary:
A slender uniform green clingfish with a paler green stripe on the side of the head from the tip of snout through the eye to the upper part of the gill opening, an orange iris, and green fins. The species lacks dark markings along the sides and dorsal midline.
Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. 2025, Barryichthys algicola in Fishes of Australia, accessed 09 Jun 2026, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/Home/species/5505
Green Rat Clingfish, Barryichthys algicola Conway, Moor & Summers 2019
More Info
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Distribution |
Endemic to southeastern Australia from Botany Bay, New South Wales, to the northern and northeastern coast of Tasmania, and west to Peterborough, Victoria. Inhabits shallow subtidal macroalgal beds at depths to 2 metres. |
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Features |
Dorsal fin 5-6; Anal fin 6; Caudal fin (principal rays) 4+4; Procurrent rays 1-2 dorsal, ventral 1-2; Pectoral fin 17; Pelvic fin I, 4; Vertebrae 21 + 21-23 = 42-44. Head and body slender, elongate, depth at dorsal-fin origin 7-8% SL; ventral margin of orbit visible in ventral view (not obscured by cheek); |
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Size |
Live colour pattern, including body background colour green, no darker markings along dorsal midline or body side (vs. dorsal midline and lateral body side with darker markings) |
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Colour |
In life, head and body uniformly green with a paler green stripe on the side of the head, extending from the snout tip to the upper part of the gill opening, passing through the eye, and an orange iris. |
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Similar Species |
Barryichthys algicola differs from the o Rat Clingfish, B. hutchinsi, in having a longer, narrower body (body depth at dorsal-fin origin 7–8% SL vs. 10–11% SL), a more slender head (head width at widest point 55–61% HL vs. 66–75%; depth at orbit 27–29% HL vs. 30–32%; interorbital width 20–24% vs. 27–33% HL), the entire ventral margin of the orbit visible in ventral view (vs. ventral margin of orbit obscured by cheek in ventral view), in having a longer abdominal region with more vertebrae (abdominal vertebrae 21 vs. 17) and more ribs (15 vs. 11–12), a higher number of epicentrals (18–19 vs. 14–15), and a higher total number of vertebrae (42–44 vs. 38–39). B. algicola, also has a green background colour (vs. golden-yellow to olive-brown) without darker markings along dorsal midline or body side (vs. dorsal midline and lateral body side with darker markings). |
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Etymology |
The specific name is a combination of the Latin alga and colare (= who inhabits the algae), in reference to the habitat preference of the this species. |
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Species Citation |
Barryichthys algicola Conway, Moore & Summers 2019, ZooKeys No. 864: 53, Figs. 2B, 3D-E, 4B, 5B, 9B. Type locality: Jubilee Point, Sorrento, Victoria, Australia, 38°20'00"S, 144°45'00"E. |
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Author |
Bray, D.J. 2025 |
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Resources |
Green Rat Clingfish, Barryichthys algicola Conway, Moor & Summers 2019
References
Conway, K.W. & Fujiwara, K. 2025. Barryichthys algicola. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2025: e.T241149509A241149511. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS.T241149509A241149511.en. Accessed on 01 October 2025.
Conway, K.W., Moore, G.I. & Summers, A.P. 2019. A new genus and two new species of miniature clingfishes from temperate southern Australia (Teleostei, Gobiesocidae). ZooKeys 864: 35–65 https://doi.org/10.3897/ zookeys.864.34521
Hutchins, J.B. 1994. Family Gobiesocidae. pp. 305-324, figs 269-289 in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds). The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. Adelaide : State Printer 992 pp. 810 figs. (as Genus B sp.)
