Derilissus

Derilissus is a genus of small clingfishes within the family Gobiesocinae, native to the western Atlantic Ocean. Like other clingfishes, they are equipped with a sucking disc on their underside, formed from modified pelvic fins and covered in papillae, which lets them adhere to hard surfaces such as coral and rocky reef walls. What sets Derilissus apart from related genera is that their gill membranes are attached to the body, which narrows the gill openings.

These fish typically measure between one and three centimeters in length. Their bodies are slender, with a slightly flattened, narrow head and a short snout. Most species have large eyes and lack a swim bladder. Instead of scales, they are protected by a thick layer of mucus.

Coloration is usually pale brown and black or a vivid scarlet orange. Both jaws contain a single row of crowded, sharp teeth, and they have a dorsal fin. All five recognized species of Derilissus are found in the Caribbean region, including the Bahamas. They inhabit rocky reef walls and corals, with different species occupying depths ranging from 30 meters to as deep as 265 meters.

Reproduction

The diet varies by species but generally consists of small benthic crustaceans and gastropods, such as copepods, isopods, and sea snails. Reproductive behavior in Derilissus is not well documented, but in clingfishes generally, the male initiates courtship by nudging the female. The pair then shakes together in parallel, after which the female lays demersal eggs one by one onto a substrate, a process that can take from several minutes to hours. The male fertilizes the eggs as they are laid.

The eggs hatch on the substrate, and the larvae are pelagic, becoming benthic only as adults. Species - Derilissus altifrons Smith-Vaniz, 1971 - Derilissus kremnobates T. H. Fraser, 1970 (Whiskereye clingfish) - Derilissus lombardii Sparks & Gruber, 2012 - Derilissus nanus Briggs, 1969 - Derilissus vittiger T. H.