In the Flinders Ranges, M. clivicola is the only species of fish found in the rocky pools which they inhabit. They will bask lying on the shallow shelves of deeper rock pools, with their tails to one side.
Within the Flinders Ranges, M. clivicola is the sole fish species found in rocky pools where they live. These fish often bask by lying on shallow rock pool shelves, tailing outwards.