Home · Labrisomidae · Fishgod blenny
Fishgod blenny (Malacoctenus ebisui) — Labrisomidae

Fishgod blenny

Malacoctenus ebisui
Family: Labrisomidae
LC · Least Concern

The Fishgod blenny (Malacoctenus ebisui) is a saltwater fish of the family Labrisomidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific, from the Gulf of California to Panama.
Edibility
Not eaten

Want the complete picture on the Fishgod blenny?

Description

The fishgod blenny is a small, camouflaged fish of the family Labrisomidae from the eastern Pacific, from the Gulf of California to Panama. The species reaches only about 6 cm and has a brown mottled body that blends well against rock and coral. It inhabits shallow rocky reefs, where it shelters among crevices and growth and lies in wait for small invertebrates. Owing to its small size and hidden habits the species is rarely noticed and little is known about its ecology.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Fishgod blenny?

The Fishgod blenny has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Small, camouflaged reef dweller that hides among rock and coral.

Where does the Fishgod blenny live?

The Fishgod blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific, from the Gulf of California to Panama.

How big does the Fishgod blenny get?

The Fishgod blenny grows to a maximum of about 7 cm. On average the species is around 4 cm.

Is the Fishgod blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Fishgod blenny is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Fishgod blenny edible?

The Fishgod blenny is not usually eaten.

More photos

Fishgod blenny (Malacoctenus ebisui) — Labrisomidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Uma Mezzanotte, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Fishgod blenny (Malacoctenus ebisui) — Labrisomidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) fernando0c, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fishgod blenny (Malacoctenus ebisui) — Labrisomidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Alberto Alcalá, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Fishgod blenny (Malacoctenus ebisui) — Labrisomidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Alberto Alcalá, some rights reserved (CC BY))

Want the complete picture on the Fishgod blenny?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Fishgod blenny is one of 12,519 species in the app.

All data

Identification

English name
Fishgod blenny verified
Scientific name
Malacoctenus ebisui
Family
Labrisomidae
Other names
Fishgod blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.5 verified
Average length (cm)
4 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
Pattern
Marbled
Tail shape
Rounded
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Eastern Pacific, from the Gulf of California to Panama.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates 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
Small, camouflaged reef dweller that hides among rock and coral. 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 Malacoctenus

More from the family Labrisomidae

Want the complete picture on the Fishgod blenny?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Fishgod blenny is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Is this the Fishgod blenny?