Home · Blenniidae · Coral blenny
Coral blenny (Ecsenius yaeyamaensis) — Blenniidae

Coral blenny

Ecsenius yaeyamaensis
Family: Blenniidae
LC · Least Concern

The Coral blenny (Ecsenius yaeyamaensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–15.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The coral blenny is a small blenny (Blenniidae) from the western Pacific. The species reaches only about 6 cm and has a brown, mottled body that blends well against rock and coral. Adults occur singly or in small groups on boulder habitats, where they 'perch' on rock and living coral, on shallow coastal reefs. The species is common on coastal and inner reef crests with rich coral growth. With its comb-like teeth it grazes algae and detritus from the substrate. The adhesive eggs are laid on the bottom and guarded.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Coral blenny?

The Coral blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Coral blenny live?

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

How big does the Coral blenny get?

The Coral blenny grows to a maximum of about 6 cm. On average the species is around 4 cm.

Is the Coral blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Coral blenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Coral blenny edible?

The Coral blenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Yaeyama-slijmvis sourced
English name
Coral blenny verified
Scientific name
Ecsenius yaeyamaensis
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Pale-spotted comb-tooth; Palespotted combtooth blenny; Pale-spotted combtooth-blenny; Yaeyama blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Average length (cm)
4.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled 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)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
15.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups 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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