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Blackspotted rockskipper (Entomacrodus striatus) — Blenniidae

Blackspotted rockskipper

Entomacrodus striatus
Family: Blenniidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blackspotted rockskipper (Entomacrodus striatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–3 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; intertidal zone of lagoons and seaward reefs.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The striped rockskipper is a blenny (Blenniidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species is small and has a scaleless, mottled body with crossbars and small skin flaps (cirri) on the head. It inhabits the intertidal zone of lagoons and wave-swept seaward reefs, where it shelters in holes of the limestone matrix. Between waves it scurries over the rocks and grazes algae and diatoms. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackspotted rockskipper?

The Blackspotted rockskipper has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Shelters in small hollows of limestone rock in the intertidal zone; grazes algae between the waves.

Where does the Blackspotted rockskipper live?

The Blackspotted rockskipper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; intertidal zone of lagoons and seaward reefs.

How big does the Blackspotted rockskipper get?

The Blackspotted rockskipper grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Blackspotted rockskipper dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackspotted rockskipper is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Blackspotted rockskipper edible?

The Blackspotted rockskipper is not usually eaten.

More photos

Blackspotted rockskipper (Entomacrodus striatus) — Blenniidae — 2
S French Polynesia Fish Team 2014 (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — AM
Blackspotted rockskipper (Entomacrodus striatus) — Blenniidae — 3
R. Bills (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Blackspotted rockskipper (Entomacrodus striatus) — Blenniidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Andres.J, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blackspotted rockskipper (Entomacrodus striatus) — Blenniidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Andres.J, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Blackspotted rockskipper verified
Scientific name
Entomacrodus striatus
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Blackspotted rockskipper; Black-spotted rockskipper; Pearly rockskipper; Reef margin blenny; Streaked blenny; Striated blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
Pattern
Spots
Tail shape
Rounded
Mouth position
Inferior (downward)
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0 verified
Max depth (m)
3 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; intertidal zone of lagoons and seaward reefs.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae and diatoms from the rocks sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
Yes
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Shelters in small hollows of limestone rock in the intertidal zone; grazes algae between the waves. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Entomacrodus

More from the family Blenniidae

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