Klipfish (Black devil)

Although Klipfish is commonly found in rock pools very little information is known about them. They live in the remote habitat of the oceanic islands of Tristan da Cunha, and are most commonly seen around Gough. Juveniles are found in rock pools while adults are in depths of up to 20m moving to deeper waters during spawning season. The larvae stay in the water column changing their body colour to silver and creating schools of post-larvae fishes. These schools are often targeted by snoek fish, who feed on juvenile Klipfish. When juveniles reach 5-6cm long they settle in shallow waters and tide pools.

Klipfish have two interesting adaptations to these remote habitats. First they can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and salinities, from winter sea temperature of 10 ^OC to summer waters in tide pools of 27^OC. Meanwhile to avoid predators they can change their body colouration to match their habitat and camouflage.