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Moth blenny (Ekemblemaria nigra) — Chaenopsidae

Moth blenny

Ekemblemaria nigra
Family: Chaenopsidae
LC · Least Concern

The Moth blenny (Ekemblemaria nigra) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaenopsidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The black blenny is a tube blenny (Chaenopsidae) from the western Atlantic. The species is small and has an elongate, dark, scaleless body with skin flaps (cirri) above the eyes. It lives on rocky reefs, where it takes refuge in abandoned tubeworm tubes and small holes, often with only the head protruding. From this shelter it snaps at passing zooplankton and small invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Moth blenny?

The Moth blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly black and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Moth blenny live?

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

How big does the Moth blenny get?

The Moth blenny grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Moth blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Moth blenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Moth blenny edible?

The Moth blenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwarte buisslijmvis sourced
English name
Moth blenny verified
Scientific name
Ekemblemaria nigra
Family
Chaenopsidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Black inferred
Pattern
Plain 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
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore 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 Ekemblemaria

More from the family Chaenopsidae

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