Silver-sided weedfish

The silver-sided weedfish, Cristiceps argyropleura, is a weedfish of the family Clinidae, found around southern Australia in rock pools and from low water to depths of about 60 m, in reef areas of broken rock and seaweed. Its length is up to 18 cm.

Coloration is variable from almost black to yellow-brown - adults have silvery-white blotches in series anteriorly on their sides. The very high first dorsal fin is very far forward starting slightly in front of the eyes, and is separated from the second dorsal fin. The pelvic fin rays are thick and finger-like.

Like all other members of the family crested weedfish are live bearers. Their food is small kelp-living crustaceans and newly settled larval fish.

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