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Channel bull blenny (Cottoperca gobio) — Bovichtidae

Channel bull blenny

Cottoperca gobio
Family: Bovichtidae

The Channel bull blenny (Cottoperca gobio) is a saltwater fish of the family Bovichtidae that grows up to 80 cm.

Length
80 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The channel bull blenny is a perch-like fish (Bovichtidae) from the cold southwestern Atlantic and the waters around southern South America. The species has a stocky body with a large, broad head and large pectoral fins, and a mottled brown pattern. It lives bottom-dwelling on the continental shelf and slope, among rocks and on soft bottoms. As an ambush hunter it feeds on crustaceans, small fishes and other bottom animals. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Channel bull blenny?

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

Where does the Channel bull blenny live?

The Channel bull blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Channel bull blenny get?

The Channel bull blenny grows to a maximum of about 80 cm. On average the species is around 34 cm.

Is the Channel bull blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Channel bull blenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Channel bull blenny edible?

The Channel bull blenny is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Patagonische stierkopvis sourced
English name
Channel bull blenny verified
Scientific name
Cottoperca gobio
Family
Bovichtidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
80.0 verified
Average length (cm)
33.9 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
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Bovichtidae

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