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Black blenny (Enchelyurus ater) — Blenniidae

Black blenny

Enchelyurus ater
Family: Blenniidae
LC · Least Concern

The Black blenny (Enchelyurus ater) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
5.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–10.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The black blenny is a small combtooth blenny from the Pacific, ranging from the Coral Sea to the Tuamotu Islands. It grows to about 5.5 cm and has an elongate, dark brown to black body, sometimes with a faint reticular or barred pattern, and conspicuous yellow pectoral fins. The dorsal, anal and caudal fins are confluent. It lives on shallow coral reefs between 1 and 10 metres depth and feeds on small invertebrates. The eggs are adhesive and laid on the bottom. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black blenny?

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

Where does the Black blenny live?

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

How big does the Black blenny get?

The Black blenny grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Black blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Black blenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Black blenny edible?

The Black blenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwarte slijmvis verified
English name
Black blenny verified
Scientific name
Enchelyurus ater
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Black blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Black sourced
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

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 Enchelyurus

More from the family Blenniidae

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