Home · Pholidae · Pen-point blenny
Pen-point blenny (Apodichthys flavidus) — Pholidae

Pen-point blenny

Apodichthys flavidus
Family: Pholidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Pen-point blenny (Apodichthys flavidus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pholidae that grows up to 46 cm.

Length
46 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–8.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The penpoint gunnel is an elongate, eel-like fish from the northeastern Pacific, ranging from Kodiak in Alaska to southern California. It grows to about 46 cm and has a strongly compressed, ribbon-like body with a very long dorsal fin made up entirely of spines. The colour is strikingly variable, from green through brown to red, often matching the surrounding seaweed. The fish lives in the intertidal zone among stones and seaweed and can survive out of water for a while at low tide, breathing partly through its skin. Both parents guard the adhesive egg mass. The IUCN has not evaluated the species (NE).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pen-point blenny?

The Pen-point blenny has a snake-like body, is mainly green and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Pen-point blenny live?

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

How big does the Pen-point blenny get?

The Pen-point blenny grows to a maximum of about 46 cm.

Is the Pen-point blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Pen-point blenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Pen-point blenny edible?

The Pen-point blenny is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pennenpunt-botervis verified
English name
Pen-point blenny verified
Scientific name
Apodichthys flavidus
Family
Pholidae
Other names
Penpoint gunnel verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
46.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Green inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

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 Apodichthys

More from the family Pholidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →