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Bullethead rockskipper (Blenniella gibbifrons) — Blenniidae

Bullethead rockskipper

Blenniella gibbifrons
Family: Blenniidae

The Bullethead rockskipper (Blenniella gibbifrons) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–4.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: American Samoa, Comoros, Cook Is., Tahiti, Tuamotu Is., Marquesas Is. and others

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Description

The bullethead rockskipper is a small, scaleless blenny (Blenniidae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a stocky, mottled body with a high, bulbous head and comb teeth. As a tidal-zone dweller it lives on rocky shores and in tide pools, where it skips among the stones and rasps off algae and growth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bullethead rockskipper?

The Bullethead rockskipper has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Bullethead rockskipper live?

The Bullethead rockskipper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: American Samoa, Comoros, Cook Is., Tahiti, Tuamotu Is., Marquesas Is. and others

How big does the Bullethead rockskipper get?

The Bullethead rockskipper grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Bullethead rockskipper dangerous to humans?

No, the Bullethead 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.

More photos

Bullethead rockskipper (Blenniella gibbifrons) — Blenniidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Cricket Raspet, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Bullethead rockskipper (Blenniella gibbifrons) — Blenniidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Nathalie Rodrigues (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Bullethead rockskipper (Blenniella gibbifrons) — Blenniidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Cricket Raspet, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Bullethead rockskipper (Blenniella gibbifrons) — Blenniidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Karolle Wall, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bullethead rockskipper sourced
Scientific name
Blenniella gibbifrons
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Hump-headed blenny; Picture rockskipper verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
4.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: American Samoa, Comoros, Cook Is., Tahiti, Tuamotu Is., Marquesas Is. and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, seaweeds and plant material inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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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