Mosaic klipfish Photo Paul Papenfus	Mosaic klipfish The mosaic klipfish, a yet undescribed but likely new species, is closely related to the super klipfish Clinus superciliosus. Currently we only know it from False Bay, where it can be found on rubble and sandy bottoms close to reefs. Often found lying on its side against a large shell, or even in one, it tries to blend in as much as possible - something its mottled pattern and generally paler colours assist with greatly. The differences between this species and a "normal" super klipfish are subtle, but include the presence of a honey-comb pattern on the face, which extends to below the jaw line, and a number of vertical irregular bars along the flanks. Compared to the super klipfish the dorsal fin is also generally kept lying down, with the dorsal crest often "flopping" down on one side - the super klipfish tends to keep its dorsal fin at least partially erect. The consistent differences have led us to believe this is a distinct species. For a more detailed discussion on the super klipfish complex, see the entry for 9 May in Q and A 2009 for more details.
References: Coastal Fishes of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay, A Diver' Identification Guide, G. Zsilavecz, 2005
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