[6] Clinocottus acuticeps is identified by its flattened, three branched papilla near the anus and the possession of cirri on the eyeballs, head, the lateral line and at the tip of each spine in the dorsal fin.

They sometimes have a dark horizontal stripe along the lateral line which may be broken by pale spots.

It s found at depths of between and where it is common in rocky intertidal and subtidal areas, as well as on sand and among Zostera and macroalgae.

[2] This species shows a preference for substrates of sand, gravel and rock with mussels of the genus Mytilus.

It feeds on small benthic invertebrates found in tide pools and in algae.