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Spotcheek blenny (Brockius nigricinctus) — Labrisomidae

Spotcheek blenny

Brockius nigricinctus
Family: Labrisomidae
LC · Least Concern

The Spotcheek blenny (Brockius nigricinctus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labrisomidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–10 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic; rocky and coral bottoms in clear water.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The spotcheek blenny is a scaled blenny (Labrisomidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species is small and elongate; males and females differ in colour, males having conspicuous dark bars and spotted cheeks. It lives concealed, bottom-bound on rocky and coral bottoms in clear water, often tucked into crevices. With its small mouth it picks small invertebrates from the bottom and reef. The male guards the eggs laid on the bottom. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spotcheek blenny?

The Spotcheek blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Small, secretive scaled blenny; male with dark bands and blotched cheeks, guards the eggs.

Where does the Spotcheek blenny live?

The Spotcheek blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic; rocky and coral bottoms in clear water.

How big does the Spotcheek blenny get?

The Spotcheek blenny grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Spotcheek blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotcheek blenny is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Spotcheek blenny edible?

The Spotcheek blenny is not usually eaten.

More photos

Spotcheek blenny (Brockius nigricinctus) — Labrisomidae — 2
Baldwin, Carole C. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Spotcheek blenny (Brockius nigricinctus) — Labrisomidae — 3
Baldwin, Carole C. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Spotcheek blenny (Brockius nigricinctus) — Labrisomidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Sheldon Logan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Spotcheek blenny (Brockius nigricinctus) — Labrisomidae — 5
Baldwin, Carole C. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM

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All data

Identification

English name
Spotcheek blenny verified
Scientific name
Brockius nigricinctus
Family
Labrisomidae
Other names
Spotcheek blenny; Spotcheek Blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
Pattern
Vertical bars
Tail shape
Rounded
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0 verified
Max depth (m)
10 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic; rocky and coral bottoms in clear water.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates from the bottom and reef sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
Yes
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Small, secretive scaled blenny; male with dark bands and blotched cheeks, guards the eggs. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Brockius

More from the family Labrisomidae

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