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Black blenny (Atrosalarias fuscus) — Blenniidae

Black blenny

Atrosalarias fuscus
Family: Blenniidae
LC · Least Concern

The Black blenny (Atrosalarias fuscus) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
14.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–12.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The brown coral blenny is a blenny (Blenniidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species is small and has a dark-brown to yellowish, scaleless body with a blunt, high head profile and comb-like teeth. Adults live on sheltered, shallow reefs and hide among live or dead coral branches. With its teeth it rasps algae and growth from the substrate. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black blenny?

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

Where does the Black blenny live?

The Black blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Black blenny get?

The Black blenny grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Black blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Black blenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Black blenny edible?

The Black blenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bruine koraalslijmvis sourced
English name
Black blenny verified
Scientific name
Atrosalarias fuscus
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Black blenny; Brown coral blenny; Brown coral-blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain 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
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
12.0 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
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Blenniidae

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