Twister

Eggs are deposited over the undersurface of a rock where they are fertilized and guarded by the male (Ref. 9003).

Dorsal spines (total): 18 - 21; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 14; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 20 - 23

Adults occur in rock pools and surge zones. They may remain out of water under rocks or seaweed (Ref. 31184). They feed on mollusks and minute crustaceans, including barnacles. This agile species eludes predators by alternately remaining motionless, then rapidly darting to a new location. Feeding occurs even in the swash zone where the fish rapidly darts with the surge and clinging to the rock as the water recedes, often being left exposed on the damp open rock (Ref. 26966). Eggs are hemispherical and covered with numerous sticky threads that anchor them in the algae on the nesting sites (Ref. 240). Larvae are planktonic which occur primarily in shallow, nearshore waters (Ref. 94114). They breathe air when out of water (Ref. 31184).

fisheries: of no interest

Bellapiscis medius,, the twister, is a triplefin fish of the family Tripterygiidae, commonly found around the coast of New Zealand. Its length is between 5 and 10 cm.