Tomicodon abuelorum

<em>Tomicodon abuelorum</em> is a small saltwater fish belonging to the family Gobiesocidae, the clingfishes, a group recognized for the specialized adhesive disc formed from modified pelvic fins that allows them to attach firmly to hard substrates in wave-swept and turbulent marine environments. This species typically reaches a maximum length of approximately 3.3 cm, making it one of the more diminutive members of its family. Gobiesocidae is a broadly distributed family found in tropical and temperate marine and, in some cases, freshwater habitats across the world's oceans. <em>Tomicodon abuelorum</em> inhabits shallow coastal marine environments in its native range, typically occurring in the intertidal and shallow subtidal zones where it clings to rocks, coral rubble, or algae-encrusted surfaces. Its adhesive disc enables it to maintain position against strong wave action and surge that would dislodge less specialized fishes. Clingfishes of this genus are typically found in the eastern Pacific, and <em>Tomicodon abuelorum</em> is no exception, occurring in nearshore rocky habitats in that region. The species feeds on small invertebrates, including amphipods and other crustaceans, that share its rocky intertidal habitat. Due to its cryptic coloration and tiny size, it is rarely encountered by casual observers and is of limited commercial significance. Details of broader habitat and range for this species remain limited in the ichthyological literature.