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Big spot blenny (Crossosalarias macrospilus) — Blenniidae

Big spot blenny

Crossosalarias macrospilus
Family: Blenniidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Big spot blenny (Crossosalarias macrospilus) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–25.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The triplespot blenny is a small blenny from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has an elongate, scaleless body with a marbled pattern and a conspicuous dark spot at the front of the dorsal fin. As a reef-dweller it often perches with its pectoral fins on coral or rock and grazes algae and aufwuchs; it also takes small benthic life. The fish is harmless to humans and appears in the reef aquarium. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Big spot blenny?

The Big spot blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Dark blotch at the front of the dorsal fin; rests on coral and grazes algae

Where does the Big spot blenny live?

The Big spot blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific

How big does the Big spot blenny get?

The Big spot blenny grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Big spot blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Big spot blenny is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Big spot blenny edible?

The Big spot blenny is not usually eaten.

More photos

Big spot blenny (Crossosalarias macrospilus) — Blenniidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) juju98, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Big spot blenny (Crossosalarias macrospilus) — Blenniidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Terry Farr, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Big spot blenny (Crossosalarias macrospilus) — Blenniidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Sylke Rohrlach from Sydney (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Big spot blenny (Crossosalarias macrospilus) — Blenniidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Big spot blenny verified
Scientific name
Crossosalarias macrospilus
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Triplespot blenny; Tripplespot blenny verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, biofilm and small benthic life inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Reef-dwelling grazing blenny; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Dark blotch at the front of the dorsal fin; rests on coral and grazes algae sourced

For anglers

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

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Blenniidae

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