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Banded fringe blenny (Cirripectes variolosus) — Blenniidae

Banded fringe blenny

Cirripectes variolosus
Family: Blenniidae
LC · Least Concern

The Banded fringe blenny (Cirripectes variolosus) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–31.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The red-speckled blenny is a blenny (Blenniidae) from the Pacific Ocean. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a dark, scaleless body studded with red to orange speckles, to which the name refers, and crest-like skin flaps over the nape. It inhabits exposed seaward reefs, where it shelters at the bases or among the branches of Pocillopora corals. As a bottom dweller it grazes the growth layer of benthic algae from the reef. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded fringe blenny?

The Banded fringe blenny has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Banded fringe blenny live?

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

How big does the Banded fringe blenny get?

The Banded fringe blenny grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Banded fringe blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded fringe blenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Banded fringe blenny edible?

The Banded fringe blenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Roodgespikkelde slijmvis sourced
English name
Banded fringe blenny verified
Scientific name
Cirripectes variolosus
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Red-speckled blenny; Red-tipped fringe blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.9 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
31.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

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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