Colour variability very high but distinguishing features include vivid blue spots an orange background just in front and behind the eye and usually along the flanks and translucent pectorals with yellow tips. The dorsal fin has a distinct crest formed by the first three spines and a shallow notch after the third spine. This membrane between the third and fourth spines is translucent giving the impression of a much deeper notch. The head is moderately pointed however there are no orbital cirri. The top section of the eyes matches body colour, the lower third white with a bright orange iris (Zsilavecz 2005).
Southeast Atlantic: South Africa (Eschmeyer 2003)
Found on both side of the Cape peninsula, from Table Bay up to Knysna in waters from 6 to 30m (Zsilavecz 2005, Jones 2008)
Klipfish are known to be resident species (Zsilavecz 2005).
Not evaluated specifically for this species but Clinidae are known to be carnivorous feeding on isopods, amphipods and small invertebrates ( Zsilavecz 2005).
Live bearers, juveniles are usually uniformly red (Zsilavecz 2005).
Offshore (>30m)
This map contains point-based occurrences at different locations
Occurrence in African countries and South African provinces. Residence status indicates if a taxon is indigenous, endemic, or alien in a specific region. This data is based on specimen records and literature.
FSA
SA
BOT
NAM
ESW
LES
WC
EC
NC
FS
GA
KZN
LP
MP
NW
Absent
Indigenous
Endemic
Naturalised
Invasive
Names and Sources
| Common Name | Language |
|---|---|
| Bluespotted Klipfish |
Classification
KINGDOM Animalia
PHYLUM Chordata
CLASS Actinopterygii
ORDER Perciformes
FAMILY Clinidae
GENUS Pavoclinus
SPECIES caeruleopunctatus
No results found for Pavoclinus caeruleopunctatus Zsilavecz, 2001
Unknown
10 results for Pavoclinus caeruleopunctatus Zsilavecz, 2001
This map contains point-based occurrences at different locations
2001
BOOK
Pavoclinus caeruleopunctatus, A new Species of Clinid Fish (Perciformes: Clinidae) from South AfricaZsilavecz, G. 2001. Pavoclinus caeruleopunctatus, A new Species of Clinid Fish (Perciformes: Clinidae) from South Africa Vol. 66. Grahamstown. J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology.
2005
BOOK
Coastal Fishes of the Cape Peninsula and False BayZsilavecz, G. 2005. Coastal Fishes of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay. Cape Town. Southern Underwater Research Group pp.108.
2003
WEB PROJECT PAGE
Catalog of fishes. Updated database version of March 2003. Catalog databases as made available to FishBase in March 2003.Eschmeyer, W.N.. 2003. Catalog of fishes. Updated database version of March 2003. Catalog databases as made available to FishBase in March 2003. .
2004
WEBSITE
Bluespotted klipfish Pavoclinus caeruleopunctatus, . 2004. Bluespotted klipfish Pavoclinus caeruleopunctatus.
2008
BOOK
A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape PeninsulaJones, G. 2008. A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula. Cape Town. Southern Underwater Research Group pp.271.
