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Spotfin blenny (Hypsoblennius maculipinna) — Blenniidae

Spotfin blenny

Hypsoblennius maculipinna
Family: Blenniidae
DD · Data Deficient

The Spotfin blenny (Hypsoblennius maculipinna) is a freshwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The spotfin blenny is a blenny (Blenniidae) from the eastern Pacific, ranging from Costa Rica to Ecuador; the type specimen was collected in the Rio Durango in northwestern Ecuador. The species has an elongate, scaleless body with a blunt head, crest-like skin flaps above the eyes and spotted fins, to which the name refers. It lives on shallow rocky and intertidal bottoms of coastal waters. It feeds on small benthic invertebrates and algae. It is a demersal spawner: the adhesive eggs attach to the substrate via a filamentous adhesive pad. Owing to scarce data the species is regarded as data deficient. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spotfin blenny?

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

Where does the Spotfin blenny live?

The Spotfin blenny lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Spotfin blenny get?

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

Is the Spotfin blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotfin blenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Spotfin blenny edible?

The Spotfin blenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vlekvin-slijmvis sourced
English name
Spotfin blenny sourced
Scientific name
Hypsoblennius maculipinna
Family
Blenniidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.2 sourced
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
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom 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 Hypsoblennius

More from the family Blenniidae

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