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Obscure blenny (Salarias obscurus) — Blenniidae

Obscure blenny

Salarias obscurus
Family: Blenniidae

The Obscure blenny (Salarias obscurus) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–6.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Obscure blenny is a combtooth blenny (Blenniidae) from shallow reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a scaleless, stocky, brown-marbled body with a blunt, high head, bulging eyes and cirri. With comb-like teeth it rasps algae and biofilm from coral and rock. 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 Obscure blenny?

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

Where does the Obscure blenny live?

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

How big does the Obscure blenny get?

The Obscure blenny grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Obscure blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Obscure blenny is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Donkere algenslijmvis sourced
English name
Obscure blenny sourced
Scientific name
Salarias obscurus
Family
Blenniidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.0 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)
6.0 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 Salarias

More from the family Blenniidae

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