The pelvic fins are modifed as suckers to cling to rocks in rough water. Their head and body is broad and rounded to streamline with the rocks. Color uniform or blotched reddish to olive green or brown dorsally, paler ventrally. A bar of lighter color along the head between the eyes and a narrow horizontal dark stripe from the snout to the gill cover separating the darker dorsal pigment from the paler lower surface. Occasionally a variable row of white spots along the side of the body.

Commonly amongst brown algae (Cystophora) in rock pools at the low tide level and subtidal areas. Sometimes found on seaweed exposed at low tide. Swims towards cover and positions itself like drifting algae (heads up tail down position, sculling with the pectoral fins) when disturbed.

Predator.

The female lays clusters of eggs on the rocks, these are guarded by the male. The eggs turn red when they are nearly ready to hatch. Clingfish are often found in Aquarium tanks after rocks with seaweed attached have been collected.

Paulin, C. and C. Roberts 1992 The rockpool fishes of New Zealand (Te ika aaria o Aotearoa). Museum of New Zealand (Te Papa Tongarewa).