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Payta blenny (Hypsoblennius paytensis) — Blenniidae

Payta blenny

Hypsoblennius paytensis
Family: Blenniidae

The Payta blenny (Hypsoblennius paytensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Payta blenny is a combtooth blenny (Blenniidae) from shallow reef and tidal water of the eastern Pacific, off Peru and nearby. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a scaleless, stocky, brown-marbled body with a blunt head, high-set eyes and small fringes above the eyes. With comb-like teeth it rasps algae and biofilm from rocks. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in crevices and empty shells. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Payta blenny?

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

Where does the Payta blenny live?

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

How big does the Payta blenny get?

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

Is the Payta blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Payta blenny is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Payta-slijmvis sourced
English name
Payta blenny sourced
Scientific name
Hypsoblennius paytensis
Family
Blenniidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
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 Hypsoblennius

More from the family Blenniidae

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