Alabes springeri

Alabes springeri is a small saltwater fish classified within the family Gobiesocidae, the clingfishes. Scientifically designated <em>Alabes springeri</em>, this species has a recorded maximum length of approximately 3.1 cm, making it one of the smaller representatives of its genus. Unlike its congener <em>Alabes bathys</em>, this species inhabits extremely shallow coastal waters, with its depth range documented from the surface down to just 10 metres. This shallow distribution suggests an affinity for intertidal and subtidal reef environments, where clingfishes typically exploit rocky substrates, algal mats, and crevices for shelter and foraging. The defining anatomical feature of Gobiesocidae is the thoracic suction disc formed by modified pelvic fins, which allows these fish to cling tenaciously to hard surfaces in wave-swept or current-prone habitats. <em>Alabes springeri</em> is a saltwater species, and its occurrence in very shallow water makes it more accessible to field researchers than many of its deeper-dwelling relatives. Details of habitat and range for this species remain limited in the ichthyological literature beyond its shallow coastal distribution. Diet and reproductive information specific to this species have not been extensively described in available scientific records.