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Brazilian blenny (Malacoctenus delalandii) — Labrisomidae

Brazilian blenny

Malacoctenus delalandii
Family: Labrisomidae
LC · Least Concern

The Brazilian blenny (Malacoctenus delalandii) is a saltwater fish of the family Labrisomidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic; shallow reefs, sandy bottoms and seagrass beds.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Delalande's blenny is a small bottom fish of the scaled blenny family (Labrisomidae) from the western Atlantic. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a stocky, mottled body with skin flaps above the eyes, which hides well among rocks and seagrass. It inhabits shallow reefs, sandy bottoms and seagrass beds of Thalassia testudinum. As a small bottom predator it feeds mainly on crustaceans and other small invertebrates. Owing to its camouflage and secretive habits it is little noticed. Owing to its small size the species has no fishery value and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brazilian blenny?

The Brazilian blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Marbled body with skin flaps above the eyes; camouflaged dweller of reef and seagrass.

Where does the Brazilian blenny live?

The Brazilian blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic; shallow reefs, sandy bottoms and seagrass beds.

How big does the Brazilian blenny get?

The Brazilian blenny grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Brazilian blenny dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Brazilian blenny edible?

The Brazilian blenny is not usually eaten.

More photos

Brazilian blenny (Malacoctenus delalandii) — Labrisomidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Felipe C. Balbino Santos, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Brazilian blenny (Malacoctenus delalandii) — Labrisomidae — 3
Baldwin, Carole C. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Brazilian blenny (Malacoctenus delalandii) — Labrisomidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Flávio Mendes, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Brazilian blenny (Malacoctenus delalandii) — Labrisomidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Flávio Mendes, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Brazilian blenny verified
Scientific name
Malacoctenus delalandii
Family
Labrisomidae
Other names
Brazilian blenny; Delalande Blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled 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
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Western Atlantic; shallow reefs, sandy bottoms and seagrass beds. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Mainly crustaceans and small invertebrates 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
Marbled body with skin flaps above the eyes; camouflaged dweller of reef and seagrass. 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 Malacoctenus

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