Common Name: Eastern Cleaner Clingfish

Distribution: Common in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Recorded from the South West Pacific only: Byron Bay in northern New South Wales to eastern Victoria.

Ecological Notes: Inhabits inshore coastal waters and estuaries in depths from 3 – 40 m.

Additional Notes: Greenish yellow to orange, adults usually found on the kelp Eklonia radiata or on ascidians and sponges in deep water. Eggs are deposited onto the kelp or other algae. The ventral fins are united into a sucking disc, the posterior half of which has a fleshy fringe. The common name comes from their habit of cleaning the exterior surfaces of larger fish. Grows to about 55 mm. 

References: FishBase. Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2018. World Wide Web electronic publication. http://www.fishbase.ca/summary/Cochleoceps-orientalis.html. Accessed 15/05/18.