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Bluedash rockskipper (Blenniella paula) — Blenniidae

Bluedash rockskipper

Blenniella paula
Family: Blenniidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bluedash rockskipper (Blenniella paula) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–3.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific; exposed intertidal reef flats.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The blenny is a blenny (Blenniidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species is small and has a pale body with dark markings, a blunt head profile and tentacles above the eyes. Adults are common on exposed outer intertidal reef flats, in areas with numerous cracks and holes in which they shelter. With its comb-like teeth it rasps algae and growth from the substrate. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bluedash rockskipper?

The Bluedash rockskipper has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly white and shows a spots pattern. Blunt head profile and small crests above the eyes; algae-rasping blenny of intertidal reef flats.

Where does the Bluedash rockskipper live?

The Bluedash rockskipper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific; exposed intertidal reef flats.

How big does the Bluedash rockskipper get?

The Bluedash rockskipper grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Bluedash rockskipper dangerous to humans?

No, the Bluedash rockskipper is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Bluedash rockskipper edible?

The Bluedash rockskipper is not usually eaten.

More photos

Bluedash rockskipper (Blenniella paula) — Blenniidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Bluedash rockskipper (Blenniella paula) — Blenniidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Bluedash rockskipper (Blenniella paula) — Blenniidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Sylvie Omnès, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bluedash rockskipper (Blenniella paula) — Blenniidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Sylvie Omnès, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bluedash rockskipper verified
Scientific name
Blenniella paula
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Blue-dashed rockskipper verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Pattern
Spots 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)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
3.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific; exposed intertidal reef flats. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae and biofilm, rasped from the substrate 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
Blunt head profile and small crests above the eyes; algae-rasping blenny of intertidal reef flats. 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 Blenniella

More from the family Blenniidae

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