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Cocos snakeblenny (Halidesmus coccus) — Pseudochromidae

Cocos snakeblenny

Halidesmus coccus

The Cocos snakeblenny (Halidesmus coccus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pseudochromidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–2.0 m
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Cocos snakeblenny is a snake blenny (Plesiopidae) from shallow rocky and reef water of the western Indian Ocean off southern Africa. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a very slender, elongate, red-brown body with a long, continuous dorsal and anal fin. As a cryptic, nocturnal bottom-dweller it wriggles among stones, crevices and weed and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cocos snakeblenny?

The Cocos snakeblenny has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Cocos snakeblenny live?

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

How big does the Cocos snakeblenny get?

The Cocos snakeblenny grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Cocos snakeblenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Cocos snakeblenny is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kokkel-slangslijmvis sourced
English name
Cocos snakeblenny sourced
Scientific name
Halidesmus coccus
Family
Pseudochromidae
Other names
Rooster snakelet sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.9 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
2.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Halidesmus

More from the family Pseudochromidae

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