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Black-lined blenny (Istiblennius lineatus) — Blenniidae

Black-lined blenny

Istiblennius lineatus
Family: Blenniidae
LC · Least Concern

The Black-lined blenny (Istiblennius lineatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–3.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The lined rockskipper is a blenny (Blenniidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has an elongate, scaleless body with fine dark stripes and tentacles above the eyes. Adults live in the intertidal zone of rocky shores and reef flats, including rock pools, and at low tide can skip among the rocks above water for short periods. With its comb-like teeth it rasps algae and growth from the substrate. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black-lined blenny?

The Black-lined blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Black-lined blenny live?

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

How big does the Black-lined blenny get?

The Black-lined blenny grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Black-lined blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Black-lined blenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Black-lined blenny edible?

The Black-lined blenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gestreepte rotsspringer sourced
English name
Black-lined blenny verified
Scientific name
Istiblennius lineatus
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Black-lined blenny; Lined blenny; Lined rockskipper verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) 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
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
3.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore 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 Istiblennius

More from the family Blenniidae

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