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Belted blenny (Phytichthys chirus) — Stichaeidae

Belted blenny

Phytichthys chirus
Family: Stichaeidae

The Belted blenny (Phytichthys chirus) is a saltwater fish of the family Stichaeidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–12.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The belted blenny is an elongate prickleback (Stichaeidae) from cold coastal waters of the eastern Pacific, off North America. The species grows to about 20 cm and has an eel-like, green-brown body with a long, continuous dorsal fin and a few pale belts. As a bottom-dweller it lives among weed, stones and in tide pools of rocky shores and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Belted blenny?

The Belted blenny has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly green.

Where does the Belted blenny live?

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

How big does the Belted blenny get?

The Belted blenny grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Belted blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Belted blenny is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gordel-slijmvis sourced
English name
Belted blenny sourced
Scientific name
Phytichthys chirus
Family
Stichaeidae
Other names
Ribbon prickleback verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

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 verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Stichaeidae

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