Super klipfish. Photo by Alastair Clacherty
Super klipfish. Photo by Andrew Taylor
Mozaic klipfish. Photo by Guido Zsilavecz
Ornate klipfish. Photo by Guido Zsilavecz
The super klipfish is highly variable and common, which results in frequent identification requests, as it sometimes seems quite impossible for a single species to be so diverse in their colouration and pattern!
Described in 1758 by Linnaeus, the species has been a bit of a controversial one for ichthyologists since then, with at least 13 other descriptions. These were declared to be the same species by Mary-Louise Penrith's detailed systematics published in 1969. The names given to the species are quite interesting: "punctulatus" (spotted), "versicolor" (multi-coloured, or variable in colouration), "dubius" ("It seems like one, but not so sure..."), "pantherinus" (with panther-like spots), "marmoratus" (marbled pattern) and "ornatus" (ornate). Many of these clearly indicate that the various describers thought they had something different. Penrith declared that there was not enough reason for that, and lumped them together, although she admitted that a few did exhibit some persistent differences, but that the evidence seemed somewhat circumstantial.
Recent research underway by Wouter Holleman, research associate at SAIAB, Dr. Sophie v.d. Heyden, Stellenbosch University and Guido Zsilavecz, SURG, is showing that there may be something after all regarding the original claims by some of the researchers. Science has advanced since the original descriptions, and morphological features used are not just simply external ones, but also for example dentition patterns (which may differ due to different diets), and, of course, DNA analysis. So far it seems that Clinus ornatus and Clinus arborescens, both described by Gilchrist and Thompson in 1908, are indeed valid species (although we are stuggling to find live C. ornatus). During this research two possibly new species have been found: one which was initially thought to be C. ornatus and now tentatively called the "mozaic" klipfish, as well as a very odd one for which more specimens are required. This does not mean for certain these are new species, as the list of descriptions shows that it may have been described before.
The question now is, how can one tell the various species apart? Well, that is not easy. Due to the variability the differing visual characteristics are often quite well hidden and require an eye which has seen those differences many times before. If one looks at the photos shown, they all show fish which are different but similar, but subtle pattern differences and differences in the dorsal crest (the elevated first three dorsal fin spines), and, if one looks in more detail, differences in the little tentacles above the eye (not visible in the photos), allow one to make a judgement call as to the species.
This research is on-going, and SURG will present a full overview once concluded.
For more information about the super klipfish, see "Coastal Fishes of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay", as well as "A Field Guide to the Marine Animals of the Cape Peninsula", both available directly from SURG as well as better dive and book stores in Cape Town.
Coastal Fishes of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay, A Diver' Identification Guide, G. Zsilavecz, 2005
A Field Guide to the Marine Animals of the Cape Peninsula, G. Jones, 2008
The systematics of the fishes of the family Clindae in South Africa, ML Penright, 1969