[2][3] It inhabits the intertidal and subtidal zones in shallow reefs and rock pools.

[2] C. dentex grows to a total length of 30 cm (12 in) and is the largest species in the clingfish family (together with the similar-sized South American Sicyases sanguineus).

[3] Dead and dried C. dentex are occasionally found by beachcombers, and their often red colour combined with their strange shape and proportionally large teeth have caused some to describe them as "sea monsters".

[3][5] It is most common in areas with flat boulders, but may also be found in kelp beds or crevices in caves.

It then rapidly lunges forward and up, dives down with its mouth open, inserts its relatively large, fang-like upper front teeth below the edge of the limpet and flips it.