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Christmas rockskipper (Praealticus natalis) — Blenniidae

Christmas rockskipper

Praealticus natalis
Family: Blenniidae

The Christmas rockskipper (Praealticus natalis) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–3.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Christmas rockskipper is a combtooth blenny (Blenniidae) from the surf zone and tide pools of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a scaleless, stocky, brown-marbled body with a blunt head, high-set eyes and small cirri. With comb-like teeth it rasps algae from rocks; at low tide it nimbly skips from pool to pool and can stay briefly out of the water. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Christmas rockskipper?

The Christmas rockskipper has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Christmas rockskipper live?

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

How big does the Christmas rockskipper get?

The Christmas rockskipper grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Christmas rockskipper dangerous to humans?

No, the Christmas rockskipper is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Christmaseiland-rotsspringer sourced
English name
Christmas rockskipper sourced
Scientific name
Praealticus natalis
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Natal rockskipper; Natal blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
3.0 verified
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 Praealticus

More from the family Blenniidae

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