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Caneva's blenny (Microlipophrys canevae) — Blenniidae

Caneva's blenny

Microlipophrys canevae
Family: Blenniidae
LC · Least Concern

The Caneva's blenny (Microlipophrys canevae) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–2.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Caneva's blenny is a small, scaleless rock fish of the family Blenniidae reaching about 8 cm. The stout body is brownish with dark cross-bars; breeding males develop a striking yellow head and a yellow tinge over the body. The species lives in the shallow, turbulent surf zone on rocky shores of the Mediterranean and the adjacent eastern Atlantic, sheltering among stones and in crevices. As a bottom-dweller it grazes on algae and small invertebrates. The male defends a cavity and guards the eggs laid in it until they hatch. Because of its small size it has no fishery importance, but it is a common and colourful sight on shallow Mediterranean rocky shores.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Caneva's blenny?

The Caneva's blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Caneva's blenny live?

The Caneva's blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Caneva's blenny get?

The Caneva's blenny grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Caneva's blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Caneva's blenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Caneva's blenny edible?

The Caneva's blenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Caneva's slijmvis inferred
English name
Caneva's blenny verified
Scientific name
Microlipophrys canevae
Family
Blenniidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore verified
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
Yes verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
Yes verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
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 Microlipophrys

More from the family Blenniidae

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