Clinus arborescens Gilchrist & Thompson 1908

This species is characterized by the following: D XXXVI-XLI, 4-7 (XXXVIII-XXXIX, 5-6); A II,25-28 (infrequently with 25 rays); pectoral-fin rays13-15 (14-15); pelvic fins I,3, the inner ray thin andclosely applied to second ray, third to half length of second ray; vertebrae 17-19 (18) + 32-34; lateral line scales 37-43 + 27-32 (39 or 40 + 28-32, mode 40 + 30); head length 3.2-4.1 [3.7] in SL; eye diameter 2.7-5.6, maxilla 2.0-2.9 [2.4], snout 3.0-4.6 [3.7] in HL; dorsal-fin origin 1.3-2.0 [1.6] in HL; dorsal fin height 8.0-14.3 [10.9] in SL (Ref. 92305).

Dorsal spines (total): 36 - 40; Dorsal soft rays (total): 4 - 7; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 25 - 28

Clinus arborescens is a species of clinid that occurs in temperate waters of the Indian Ocean around South Africa. This species can reach a length of 22 centimetres (8.7 in) SL. It is a demersal species, found in beds of Rhodophyta where it feeds on small molluscs.