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Giant blenny (Scartichthys gigas) — Blenniidae

Giant blenny

Scartichthys gigas
Family: Blenniidae
LC · Least Concern

The Giant blenny (Scartichthys gigas) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–10.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The giant blenny is a blenny (Blenniidae) from the southeastern Pacific. For a blenny the species is fairly large; it has an elongate, scaleless body with a blunt head profile and tentacles above the eyes. It inhabits rocky coasts in the intertidal zone and just below. With its comb-like teeth it rasps mainly algae and seaweed from the surface of rocks, supplemented with small molluscs and crustaceans. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Giant blenny?

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

Where does the Giant blenny live?

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

How big does the Giant blenny get?

The Giant blenny grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Giant blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Giant blenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Giant blenny edible?

The Giant blenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Reuzenslijmvis sourced
English name
Giant blenny verified
Scientific name
Scartichthys gigas
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Giant blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
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 sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Scartichthys

More from the family Blenniidae

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