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Filamentous blenny (Cirripectes filamentosus) — Blenniidae

Filamentous blenny

Cirripectes filamentosus
Family: Blenniidae

The Filamentous blenny (Cirripectes filamentosus) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–20.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Filamentous blenny is a combtooth blenny (Blenniidae) from shallow reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a scaleless, stocky, brown-marbled body with a blunt head and a row of fine fringes (cirri) over the nape. With a mouth full of comb-like teeth it rasps algae and biofilm from coral and rocks. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in crevices and small holes. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Filamentous blenny?

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

Where does the Filamentous blenny live?

The Filamentous blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Filamentous blenny get?

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

Is the Filamentous blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Filamentous blenny is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Draad-slijmvis sourced
English name
Filamentous blenny sourced
Scientific name
Cirripectes filamentosus
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Dusky blenny; Filamentous blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.5 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)
20.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Cirripectes

More from the family Blenniidae

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