The Daubed Shanny, scientifically known as Leptoclinus maculatus, is a fish species belonging to the family Stichaeidae. They are commonly found in the North Atlantic Ocean and are characterized by their distinctive mottled coloration and elongated body shape.
Description & Characteristics
The Daubed Shanny can reach a maximum size of 20.0 cm in length. Its body is slender and elongated, with a slightly compressed head and a pointed snout. The fish exhibits a characteristic mottled coloration, featuring a pattern of dark brown or black spots and blotches scattered over a lighter background. These markings can vary in intensity and distribution, contributing to the species’ unique appearance.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Daubed Shanny is a demersal species, meaning it lives close to the seabed. It is typically found in rocky reefs, seagrass beds, and other benthic habitats, with a depth range of 2.0 to 607.0 meters. This broad depth range suggests that Leptoclinus maculatus can tolerate various marine environments, from shallow coastal areas to the deep ocean. Its occurrence across these different depths makes it a prevalent presence in the North Atlantic Ocean, where it thrives in diverse aquatic ecosystems.
Taxonomy
The species Leptoclinus maculatus belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Perciformes, and Family: Stichaeidae. This classification places it within a group of bony fishes known as the “perch-like” fishes, further categorizing it into the family Stichaeidae, which encompasses various species of “sticklebacks.”
Feeding
The Daubed Shanny is a carnivorous fish, primarily feeding on a diet of crustaceans, worms, and other small invertebrates found on the seabed. Its predatory nature and diet of zoobenthos (bottom-dwelling organisms) and zooplankton highlight its role as a consumer in the marine food web.
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