Cancelloxus elongatus


Cancelloxus elongatus, the whiteblotched klipfish, is a species of clinid found in subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean along the South African coast. It prefers sandy habitats with nearby rocks at depths of from. It can reach a maximum length of TL. This species preys primarily on zoobenthos.

Description

Shape:
The body is elongate, with a pointed head and slightly projecting lower jaw. The dorsal and ventral profiles are straight. The eyes are small. The dorsal fin as low and of even height, with slender and flexible front spines, and the last 5 to 7 spines stiff and sharp. Dorsal fin origin is above the opercle. Pelvic fin rays extend about a third of their length beyond the membrane, with the last ray well developed and more than half the length of middle ray.
Colour:
Pale to white with two dark vertical bars which blends in with the substrate on which they live and burrow.
Size:
Attains 5 cm.

Distribution

South African south coast from Storms River mouth to Algoa Bay.

Habitat

Fragmented shell and sand substrate areas near rocks in 10-25m.

Etymology

Elongatus: as in elongated, referring to the body shape.