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Southern snakeblenny (Ophiclinus antarcticus) — Clinidae

Southern snakeblenny

Ophiclinus antarcticus
Family: Clinidae

The Southern snakeblenny (Ophiclinus antarcticus) is a saltwater fish of the family Clinidae that grows up to 14 cm.

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

Description

The Southern snakeblenny is an eel-like klipfish (Clinidae) from coastal waters of temperate coastal waters of southern Australia. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a strongly elongate, snake-like, brown-greenish body with a long, low dorsal fin and small eyes, strongly camouflaged among weed and seagrass. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in weed beds and tide pools and snaps at small crustaceans and worms; it bears live young. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Southern snakeblenny?

The Southern snakeblenny has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly green.

Where does the Southern snakeblenny live?

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

How big does the Southern snakeblenny get?

The Southern snakeblenny grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Southern snakeblenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Southern snakeblenny is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zuidelijke slangslijmvis sourced
English name
Southern snakeblenny sourced
Scientific name
Ophiclinus antarcticus
Family
Clinidae
Other names
Adelaide snake-blenny; Dusky snake blenny; Dusky snakeblenny; Dusky snake-blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No 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 Ophiclinus

More from the family Clinidae

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