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Bicolor blenny (Ecsenius bicolor) — Blenniidae

Bicolor blenny

Ecsenius bicolor
Family: Blenniidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bicolor blenny (Ecsenius bicolor) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–25.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The bicolor blenny is a blenny (Blenniidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species reaches about 11 cm and is strikingly bicoloured: the front half of the body is dark blue, the rear orange, to which the name refers. It inhabits clear lagoon and seaward reefs with mixed corals and algae-covered rocks, where it lives solitarily and often retreats into abandoned worm tubes. With its comb-like teeth it grazes algae and detritus from the surface. The adhesive eggs are laid on the bottom. The species is popular in the marine aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bicolor blenny?

The Bicolor blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly multicoloured and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Bicolor blenny live?

The Bicolor blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Bicolor blenny get?

The Bicolor blenny grows to a maximum of about 11 cm. On average the species is around 8 cm.

Is the Bicolor blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Bicolor blenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Bicolor blenny edible?

The Bicolor blenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Tweekleurige slijmvis sourced
English name
Bicolor blenny verified
Scientific name
Ecsenius bicolor
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Bicolor blenny; Bicolor combtooth blenny; Bicolor coralblenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.0 verified
Average length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Multicoloured inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Ecsenius

More from the family Blenniidae

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