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Elongate blenny (Starksia elongata) — Labrisomidae

Elongate blenny

Starksia elongata
Family: Labrisomidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Elongate blenny (Starksia elongata) is a saltwater fish of the family Labrisomidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
2.7 cm
Water
Saltwater
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 elongate shy blenny is a very small blenny from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species reaches only about 3 cm and has an elongate, slender body with fine markings that let it hide well on the reef. As a secretive bottom-dweller it clings in crevices and among coral rubble and hunts small benthic life and crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans and has no commercial value. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Elongate blenny?

The Elongate blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Slender body with fine markings; secretive little reef blenny

Where does the Elongate blenny live?

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

How big does the Elongate blenny get?

The Elongate blenny grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Elongate blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Elongate 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 Elongate blenny edible?

The Elongate blenny is not usually eaten.

More photos

Elongate blenny (Starksia elongata) — Labrisomidae — 2
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Elongate blenny verified
Scientific name
Starksia elongata
Family
Labrisomidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Western Atlantic verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small benthic life and crustaceans inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Hidden small reef blenny; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Slender body with fine markings; secretive little reef blenny 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 Starksia

More from the family Labrisomidae

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