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Horned blenny (Parablennius cornutus) — Blenniidae

Horned blenny

Parablennius cornutus
Family: Blenniidae

The Horned blenny (Parablennius cornutus) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Horned blenny is a combtooth blenny (Blenniidae) from shallow rocky water of coastal waters of southern Africa. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a scaleless, stocky, brown-marbled body with a blunt head, high-set eyes and cirri above the eyes. With comb-like teeth it rasps algae and biofilm from rocks and coral. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in crevices, holes and empty shells. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Horned blenny?

The Horned blenny has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Horned blenny live?

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

How big does the Horned blenny get?

The Horned blenny grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Horned blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Horned blenny is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gehoornde slijmvis sourced
English name
Horned blenny sourced
Scientific name
Parablennius cornutus
Family
Blenniidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped 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 Parablennius

More from the family Blenniidae

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