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Bay blenny (Hypsoblennius gentilis) — Blenniidae

Bay blenny

Hypsoblennius gentilis
Family: Blenniidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bay blenny (Hypsoblennius gentilis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–25.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The bay blenny is a small blenny of the family Blenniidae from the eastern Pacific off the west coast of North America. The species grows to about 15 cm and inhabits shallow tidal zones, bays and estuaries. The scaleless, stocky body is mottled brown, providing good camouflage among rocks and growth. The fish is strongly territorial and feeds on small benthic invertebrates and algae. It is a demersal spawner: the adhesive eggs are laid on the walls of cavities and on hard substrate and guarded by the male. The bay blenny is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bay blenny?

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

Where does the Bay blenny live?

The Bay blenny lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Bay blenny get?

The Bay blenny grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Bay blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Bay blenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Bay blenny edible?

The Bay blenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Baai-slijmvis sourced
English name
Bay blenny verified
Scientific name
Hypsoblennius gentilis
Family
Blenniidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
6.5 verified

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 Hypsoblennius

More from the family Blenniidae

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