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Downy blenny (Gobioclinus kalisherae) — Labrisomidae

Downy blenny

Gobioclinus kalisherae
Family: Labrisomidae
LC · Least Concern

The Downy blenny (Gobioclinus kalisherae) is a saltwater fish of the family Labrisomidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The downy blenny is a small blenny from the western Atlantic, ranging from southeastern Florida and Mexico to Brazil. It grows to about 7.5 cm and has an elongate body with head cirri. It lives on rocky and rubble shores with algal mats, on coral reefs and in seagrass beds, where it shelters in holes and crevices or among coral. The fish feeds mainly on crustaceans. It is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Downy blenny?

The Downy blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Head fringes; hides in small holes and crevices

Where does the Downy blenny live?

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

How big does the Downy blenny get?

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

Is the Downy blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Downy 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 Downy blenny edible?

The Downy blenny is not usually eaten.

More photos

Downy blenny (Gobioclinus kalisherae) — Labrisomidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Kenneth Manole, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Downy blenny (Gobioclinus kalisherae) — Labrisomidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Dominick Porcelli, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Downy blenny (Gobioclinus kalisherae) — Labrisomidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Dominick Porcelli, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Downy blenny (Gobioclinus kalisherae) — Labrisomidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Thefishingnomad youtube (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Downy blenny verified
Scientific name
Gobioclinus kalisherae
Family
Labrisomidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0 sourced
Natural range
Western Atlantic verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Crustaceans and small invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Resident fish on rocky and vegetated coasts; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Head fringes; hides in small holes and crevices 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 Gobioclinus

More from the family Labrisomidae

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