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Eel-blenny (Lumpenus sagitta) — Stichaeidae

Eel-blenny

Lumpenus sagitta
Family: Stichaeidae

The Eel-blenny (Lumpenus sagitta) is a saltwater fish of the family Stichaeidae that grows up to 51 cm.

Length
51 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–425.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The snake prickleback is a fish of the prickleback family (Stichaeidae) from the northern Pacific. The species has a very elongate, eel-like body with a long, continuous dorsal fin of spiny rays. It lives in shallow bays and offshore waters on bottoms of sand mixed with silt, pebbles and stones, to about 425 m deep, but usually shallower. It partly buries itself. As a bottom fish it feeds on small crustaceans, worms and molluscs. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Eel-blenny?

The Eel-blenny has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Eel-blenny live?

The Eel-blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Eel-blenny get?

The Eel-blenny grows to a maximum of about 51 cm.

Is the Eel-blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Eel-blenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Eel-blenny edible?

The Eel-blenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Slangprikkleback sourced
English name
Eel-blenny verified
Scientific name
Lumpenus sagitta
Family
Stichaeidae
Other names
Pacific snake prickleback; Snake prickleback verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
51.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain 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
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
425.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
8.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Lumpenus

More from the family Stichaeidae

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