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Leopard blenny (Exallias brevis) — Blenniidae

Leopard blenny

Exallias brevis
Family: Blenniidae
LC · Least Concern

The Leopard blenny (Exallias brevis) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
14.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The leopard blenny is a blenny from the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii and Panama. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a stocky body densely covered with dark spots on a pale ground, like a leopard's coat; breeding males turn partly reddish. It lives on clear coral reefs and feeds on coral polyps. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Leopard blenny?

The Leopard blenny has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly white and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Leopard blenny live?

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

How big does the Leopard blenny get?

The Leopard blenny grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Leopard blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Leopard blenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Leopard blenny edible?

The Leopard blenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Luipaard-slijmvis verified
English name
Leopard blenny verified
Scientific name
Exallias brevis
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Leopard blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.5 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Pattern
Spots sourced
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)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced

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

More from the family Blenniidae

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