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Textile blenny (Entomacrodus textilis) — Blenniidae

Textile blenny

Entomacrodus textilis
Family: Blenniidae
LC · Least Concern

The Textile blenny (Entomacrodus textilis) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–1 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Atlantic, endemic around Ascension and Saint Helena.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The textile blenny is a small blenny (Blenniidae) from the eastern Atlantic, endemic to Ascension and St Helena. The species reaches only about 6 cm and has a brown, finely mottled body with a textile-like pattern, to which the name refers. It is common on rocks and in rock pools to about half a metre deep and stays mainly near the surface of deep pools; it favours areas exposed to surf. With its comb-like teeth it grazes algae from the rocks. The adhesive eggs are laid on the bottom and attached to the substrate with a holding pad.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Textile blenny?

The Textile blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Inhabitant of tide pools and the surf zone; grazes algae with comb-shaped teeth.

Where does the Textile blenny live?

The Textile blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Eastern Atlantic, endemic around Ascension and Saint Helena.

How big does the Textile blenny get?

The Textile blenny grows to a maximum of about 6 cm. On average the species is around 4 cm.

Is the Textile blenny dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Textile blenny edible?

The Textile blenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Textile blenny verified
Scientific name
Entomacrodus textilis
Family
Blenniidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0 verified
Max depth (m)
1 verified
Natural range
Eastern Atlantic, endemic around Ascension and Saint Helena.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae scraped from rocks 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
Inhabitant of tide pools and the surf zone; grazes algae with comb-shaped teeth. 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 Entomacrodus

More from the family Blenniidae

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