Modicus (fish)

Modicus is a genus of clingfishes endemic to the shores of New Zealand.

The genus Modicus is distinguished from closely related genera by the possession of well-developed gill rakers; rays in the pectoral fin; and by having their teeth clustered at the front of either jaw, each jaw having up to two well-developed canines with the lower jaw having a single row of backward curving teeth. There are gill filaments on the first 3 gill arches and the gill membranes are fused medially with the isthmus. The sucker is a double disc formed by the fused pelvic fins.

There are currently two recognized species in this genus:

• Modicus minimus Hardy, 1983
• Modicus tangaroa Hardy, 1983