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Striated blenny (Hypsoblennius striatus) — Blenniidae

Striated blenny

Hypsoblennius striatus
Family: Blenniidae
NT · Near Threatened

The Striated blenny (Hypsoblennius striatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; shallow rocky reefs and tide pools off South America.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The striped rockblenny is a small blenny of the family Blenniidae from the eastern Pacific off South America. The species grows to only about 8 cm and inhabits shallow rocky reefs and tide pools. The scaleless, stocky body bears fine stripes and provides good camouflage among the rocks. The fish feeds on algae and small invertebrates. The eggs are adhesive and attached to the substrate by a pad; the larvae are planktonic in shallow coastal water. The species is listed as Near Threatened (NT) and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Striated blenny?

The Striated blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Scaleless body with fine stripes; inhabits rocky tide pools.

Where does the Striated blenny live?

The Striated blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Eastern Pacific; shallow rocky reefs and tide pools off South America.

How big does the Striated blenny get?

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

Is the Striated blenny dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Striated blenny edible?

The Striated blenny is not usually eaten.

More photos

Striated blenny (Hypsoblennius striatus) — Blenniidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Kai Murphy, some rights reserved (CC BY))

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All data

Identification

English name
Striated blenny verified
Scientific name
Hypsoblennius striatus
Family
Blenniidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; shallow rocky reefs and tide pools off South America.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
Yes
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Scaleless body with fine stripes; inhabits rocky tide pools. 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 Hypsoblennius

More from the family Blenniidae

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