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Bracketed blenny (Pholis laeta) — Pholidae

Bracketed blenny

Pholis laeta
Family: Pholidae

The Bracketed blenny (Pholis laeta) is a saltwater fish of the family Pholidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–73.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northeast Pacific; intertidal zone and shallow coastal waters.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The crescent gunnel is a gunnel (Pholidae) from the northeastern Pacific off the west coast of North America. The species has an elongate, ribbon-like, slippery body with a long, low dorsal fin and crescent-shaped dark markings, to which the name refers. It often lives in the intertidal zone, in tide pools or under rocks sheltered by seaweed, and can survive out of water under rocks for a time at low tide. As a bottom fish it feeds on small crustaceans, molluscs and worms. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bracketed blenny?

The Bracketed blenny has a snake-like body, is mainly green and shows a spots pattern. Ribbon-shaped slippery body with sickle-shaped markings; survives low tide under rocks.

Where does the Bracketed blenny live?

The Bracketed blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Northeast Pacific; intertidal zone and shallow coastal waters.

How big does the Bracketed blenny get?

The Bracketed blenny grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Bracketed blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Bracketed blenny is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Bracketed blenny edible?

The Bracketed blenny is not usually eaten.

More photos

Bracketed blenny (Pholis laeta) — Pholidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Yifei, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bracketed blenny (Pholis laeta) — Pholidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Justin Chan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bracketed blenny (Pholis laeta) — Pholidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) hvrichter, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bracketed blenny verified
Scientific name
Pholis laeta
Family
Pholidae
Other names
Crescent gunnel verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Green inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
73.0 verified
Natural range
Northeast Pacific; intertidal zone and shallow coastal waters. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans, molluscs and worms sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Ribbon-shaped slippery body with sickle-shaped markings; survives low tide under rocks. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. 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 Pholis

More from the family Pholidae

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