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Oyster blenny (Hypleurochilus aequipinnis) — Blenniidae

Oyster blenny

Hypleurochilus aequipinnis
Family: Blenniidae
LC · Least Concern

The Oyster blenny (Hypleurochilus aequipinnis) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The oyster blenny is a blenny (Blenniidae) from the Atlantic Ocean. The species is small and has a scaleless, mottled body with small skin flaps (cirri) above the eyes. Adults inhabit mangroves, wooden pilings and rocky shores, often in turbid, silty water, where they keep in crevices and cavities. On the bottom it feeds on crustaceans, hydroids, bryozoans and algae. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Oyster blenny?

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

Where does the Oyster blenny live?

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

How big does the Oyster blenny get?

The Oyster blenny grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Oyster blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Oyster blenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Oyster blenny edible?

The Oyster blenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Oester-slijmvis sourced
English name
Oyster blenny verified
Scientific name
Hypleurochilus aequipinnis
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Oyster Blenny; Oyster blenny; West African speckled blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore 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 Hypleurochilus

More from the family Blenniidae

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