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Blue-lined blenny (Plagiotremus rhinorhynchos) — Blenniidae

Blue-lined blenny

Plagiotremus rhinorhynchos
Family: Blenniidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blue-lined blenny (Plagiotremus rhinorhynchos) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–40.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific, on coral-rich reefs.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The bluestriped fangblenny is a small, elongate blenny (Blenniidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species reaches about 12 cm and has a blue body with orange lateral stripes; the colour can vary greatly. It inhabits clear, coral-rich parts of lagoon and seaward reefs and shelters in empty worm tubes when alarmed. With the rearward-pointing canines in its lower jaw it darts out from ambush to snatch bits of skin, mucus and sometimes scales from passing fishes. When approached it sometimes also bites divers.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue-lined blenny?

The Blue-lined blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly blue and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Snaps pieces of skin and mucus off fishes from empty worm tubes; sometimes bites divers as well.

Where does the Blue-lined blenny live?

The Blue-lined blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific, on coral-rich reefs.

How big does the Blue-lined blenny get?

The Blue-lined blenny grows to a maximum of about 12 cm. On average the species is around 8 cm.

Is the Blue-lined blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue-lined blenny is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Blue-lined blenny edible?

The Blue-lined blenny is not usually eaten.

More photos

Blue-lined blenny (Plagiotremus rhinorhynchos) — Blenniidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Izuzuki (CC BY-SA 2.5)
Blue-lined blenny (Plagiotremus rhinorhynchos) — Blenniidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Rebecca Lloyd, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blue-lined blenny (Plagiotremus rhinorhynchos) — Blenniidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Blue-lined blenny (Plagiotremus rhinorhynchos) — Blenniidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Rob (CC BY 2.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Blue-lined blenny verified
Scientific name
Plagiotremus rhinorhynchos
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Blue-lined sabretooth blenny; Bluestriped blenny; Bluestriped fangblenny; Twostripe blenny; Cleaner mimic; Tube-worm blenny; Bluestriped sabretooth blenny; Blunt-nosed blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Average length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific, on coral-rich reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Skin, mucus and scales of other fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Snaps pieces of skin and mucus off fishes from empty worm tubes; sometimes bites divers as well. 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
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Plagiotremus

More from the family Blenniidae

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