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Chevron blenny (Omobranchus elongatus) — Blenniidae

Chevron blenny

Omobranchus elongatus
Family: Blenniidae
NativeIntroduced

The Chevron blenny (Omobranchus elongatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–2.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The chevron blenny is a small, scaleless blenny (Blenniidae) from coastal and brackish water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 5 cm and has an elongate, smooth body with fine, arrowhead-like (chevron) crossmarks and a continuous dorsal fin. As a bottom-dweller it lives in very shallow water of mangroves, estuaries and tide pools, often in empty shells or burrows, and grazes algae and small invertebrate life. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Chevron blenny?

The Chevron blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Arrowhead-like transverse markings; shelters in shells and small holes

Where does the Chevron blenny live?

The Chevron blenny lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Indo-West Pacific

How big does the Chevron blenny get?

The Chevron blenny grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Chevron blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Chevron blenny 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.

Is the Chevron blenny edible?

The Chevron blenny is not usually eaten.

More photos

Chevron blenny (Omobranchus elongatus) — Blenniidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) tightontanago, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Chevron blenny (Omobranchus elongatus) — Blenniidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Dawn Goebbels, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Chevron blenny (Omobranchus elongatus) — Blenniidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Dawn Goebbels, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Chevron blenny (Omobranchus elongatus) — Blenniidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Dawn Goebbels, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Chevron blenny verified
Scientific name
Omobranchus elongatus
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Chevroned blenny; Cloister blenny; Elongate oysterblenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
2.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae and small invertebrate life inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Mangrove and tide-pool blenny; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Arrowhead-like transverse markings; shelters in shells and small holes 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
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 Omobranchus

More from the family Blenniidae

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