Red Clingfish
Acyrtus rubiginosus
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity |
|---|
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Full guarantee terms →Ships Monday – Thursday for next-day arrival at your nearest FedEx Hold location — typically ready by 9 AM. We monitor every delivery.
Shipping details →
Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Reef Safe | Yes |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Carnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 10 gallons |
| Max Size | 2 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Red Clingfish (Acyrtus rubiginosus) is a tiny, reef-associated fish that uses a suction disc to anchor to rock, glass, and reef surfaces. Its red base color helps it blend into reef textures, and it’s often discussed in the hobby alongside “urchin clingfish” behavior on shallow reefs.
What You’ll Observe:
- Perching and “sticking” to the glass or rockwork, then making short, quick moves between resting spots
- Spending most of its time low in the tank around crevices, rubble, and tight overhangs
- Hunting-like picking at small meaty items and microfauna on the rock surface
- Settling into a consistent routine where it returns to the same favorite perches each day
To succeed with this nano reef fish, provide mature live rock with lots of small ledges and pockets it can use as anchoring points. Offer small meaty foods (like mysis, finely chopped seafood, and pods) in portions it can easily grab. Using guarded intakes and calmer “low-flow zones” helps it stay comfortably positioned where it likes to perch.
Do clingfish do better with an urchin in the tank?
Many hobbyists associate clingfish behavior with long-spined urchins, and they often choose similar “spiny” rockwork zones or tight cover even without an urchin.
Will it get pulled into an overflow or powerhead?
Keepers commonly recommend screened/guarded intakes so the fish can perch and explore without being pulled toward strong suction areas.
Is it normal to rarely see it for parts of the day?
Yes—clingfish often choose a few specific perches and pockets and can spend long stretches anchored in the same small area.
Will it accept prepared foods, or does it need only live pods?
Many clingfish are reported to learn prepared options (like small pellets or frozen foods), especially when offered in consistent, small portions near their perches.
Do clingfish interact with people at the glass?
Some keepers report their clingfish regularly perching on the front glass and coming out to investigate during feeding time.
We work with trusted suppliers who keep our specimens healthy and well-fed before shipping.
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