| Remarks |
Demersal spawners in nearshore habitats (Ref. 56049). Non-emerging air-breather (Ref. 31184). A resident intertidal species with homing behavior (Ref. 32612). At high tide, mobile over a large cyclically exposed area and at low tide returns to tidepools in the lower mid-lttoral zone at depth of 10 m but usually not more than 5 m. Found on subtidal rock, cobble, and other hard substrate such as Mytilus beds. Takes shelter in rocky crevices and commonly live in semiprotected rocky coastal reefs but may also tolerate considerable wave action. It wanders around its home range but has little tendency to maintain its position and little territorial aggression except towards other H. gilberti individuals in its line of sight. Meanders and browses for food on seabottom and on seawalls. Feeds mainly on limpets (Acmaea spp.) when in intertidal areas, and on algal mats when in subtidal areas. Also feeds on Mytilus beds. Predators of Hypsoblennius include Pralabrax clathartus, Pralabrax maculatofasciatus, Heterostichus rostratus, and Scorpaenichthys marmoratus. Other fishes living in the same area include: Clinocottus analis, Gobiesox rhessodon, and Girella nigricans (Ref. 56052). |