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Dwarf snakeblenny (Ophiclinus ningulus) — Clinidae

Dwarf snakeblenny

Ophiclinus ningulus
Family: Clinidae

The Dwarf snakeblenny (Ophiclinus ningulus) is a saltwater fish of the family Clinidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

The Dwarf snakeblenny is an eel-like klipfish (Clinidae) from coastal waters of temperate coastal waters of southern Australia. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a strongly elongate, snake-like, brown-greenish body with a long, low dorsal fin and small eyes, strongly camouflaged among weed and seagrass. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in weed beds and tide pools and snaps at small crustaceans and worms; it bears live young. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dwarf snakeblenny?

The Dwarf snakeblenny has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly green.

Where does the Dwarf snakeblenny live?

The Dwarf snakeblenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Dwarf snakeblenny get?

The Dwarf snakeblenny grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Dwarf snakeblenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Dwarf snakeblenny 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.

More photos

Dwarf snakeblenny (Ophiclinus ningulus) — Clinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Matt Tank, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Dwarf snakeblenny (Ophiclinus ningulus) — Clinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) David Spencer Muirhead, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Dwarf snakeblenny (Ophiclinus ningulus) — Clinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) David Spencer Muirhead, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Dwarf snakeblenny sourced
Scientific name
Ophiclinus ningulus
Family
Clinidae
Other names
Featureless snake blenny; Variable snake blenny; Variable snakeblenny; Variable snake-blenny; Distinctiveless snakeblenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Oceania: Australia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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 Ophiclinus

More from the family Clinidae

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