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Blue-dashed rockskipper (Blenniella periophthalmus) — Blenniidae

Blue-dashed rockskipper

Blenniella periophthalmus
Family: Blenniidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Blue-dashed rockskipper (Blenniella periophthalmus) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–3.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The blue-dashed rockskipper is a small blenny from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a stocky, scaleless body with a blunt head, skin fringes above the eyes and fine blue dashes and spots; males colour up more brightly in the breeding season. As a dweller of the turbulent intertidal zone it clings to rocks and can jump among moist rocks. With its comb-like mouth it rasps algal mat from the reef bottom. The fish is harmless to humans. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue-dashed rockskipper?

The Blue-dashed rockskipper has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Fine blue lines and a comb-toothed mouth; leaping intertidal zone rockskipper

Where does the Blue-dashed rockskipper live?

The Blue-dashed rockskipper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-Pacific

How big does the Blue-dashed rockskipper get?

The Blue-dashed rockskipper grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Blue-dashed rockskipper dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue-dashed rockskipper 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 Blue-dashed rockskipper edible?

The Blue-dashed rockskipper is not usually eaten.

More photos

Blue-dashed rockskipper (Blenniella periophthalmus) — Blenniidae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Blue-dashed rockskipper (Blenniella periophthalmus) — Blenniidae — 3
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Blue-dashed rockskipper (Blenniella periophthalmus) — Blenniidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — David Burdick (Public domain)
Blue-dashed rockskipper (Blenniella periophthalmus) — Blenniidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Suzu Sato, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Blue-dashed rockskipper verified
Scientific name
Blenniella periophthalmus
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Blue-dashed rockskipper; Blue-streaked blenniella; Blue-streaked blenny; Bluestreaked rockskipper; Bullethead rockskipper; False mudskipper; Peppered blenny; Bullethead rockskippper verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots 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)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
3.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algal mat (aufwuchs) inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Algae-rasping intertidal blenny; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Fine blue lines and a comb-toothed mouth; leaping intertidal zone rockskipper 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

Same genus Blenniella

More from the family Blenniidae

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