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Sal blenny (Parablennius salensis) — Blenniidae

Sal blenny

Parablennius salensis
Family: Blenniidae

The Sal blenny (Parablennius salensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Cape Verde

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Description

The Sal blenny is a combtooth blenny (Blenniidae) from shallow rocky and intertidal water of the eastern Atlantic around West Africa. The species grows to about 7 cm and has an elongate, scaleless or small-scaled body with a blunt head, high-set eyes and often small skin fringes above them. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in crevices, empty shells and small holes and grazes on algae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sal blenny?

The Sal blenny has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Sal blenny live?

The Sal blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Africa: Cape Verde

How big does the Sal blenny get?

The Sal blenny grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Sal blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Sal blenny is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Sal blenny (Parablennius salensis) — Blenniidae — 2
Ben Jobson (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Sal blenny (Parablennius salensis) — Blenniidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Ingmar Rondeel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Sal blenny (Parablennius salensis) — Blenniidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Donald Davesne, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Sal blenny (Parablennius salensis) — Blenniidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Ruben Vermeule, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Sal blenny sourced
Scientific name
Parablennius salensis
Family
Blenniidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Africa: Cape Verde sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus
Territorial
Yes
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. 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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