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Coral blenny (Istiblennius edentulus) — Blenniidae

Coral blenny

Istiblennius edentulus
Family: Blenniidae
LC · Least Concern

The Coral blenny (Istiblennius edentulus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
16 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–5.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-Pacific; intertidal zone of rocky coasts.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The rippled rockskipper is a blenny of the family Blenniidae from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 16 cm and has a scaleless body with fine wavy crossbars and small skin flaps above the eyes. It inhabits the intertidal zone of rocky shores, often among large rubble pieces that provide shelter at low tide. At low water it can move among rock crevices and pools and even survive briefly out of water, 'skipping' over the rocks with its pectoral fins. With its rasping mouth it grazes benthic algae and growth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Coral blenny?

The Coral blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Intertidal dweller that can stay out of water for a short time and 'jumps' over rocks on its pectoral fins.

Where does the Coral blenny live?

The Coral blenny lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-Pacific; intertidal zone of rocky coasts.

How big does the Coral blenny get?

The Coral blenny grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Coral blenny dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Coral blenny edible?

The Coral blenny is not usually eaten.

More photos

Coral blenny (Istiblennius edentulus) — Blenniidae — 2
pavelkornev (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Coral blenny (Istiblennius edentulus) — Blenniidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Philippe Bourjon (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Coral blenny (Istiblennius edentulus) — Blenniidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) 劉佳勳, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Coral blenny (Istiblennius edentulus) — Blenniidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Coral blenny verified
Scientific name
Istiblennius edentulus
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Edentulate blenny; Reef blenny; Rippled blenny; Rippled rockskipper; Smooth-lipped blenny; Toothless blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
5.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-Pacific; intertidal zone of rocky coasts. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Benthic algae and biofilm 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
Intertidal dweller that can stay out of water for a short time and 'jumps' over rocks on its pectoral fins. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. 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 Istiblennius

More from the family Blenniidae

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