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Fringed blenny (Mimoblennius cirrosus) — Blenniidae

Fringed blenny

Mimoblennius cirrosus
Family: Blenniidae

The Fringed blenny (Mimoblennius cirrosus) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5.4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–25.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Em. and others

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Description

The Fringed blenny is a small combtooth blenny (Blenniidae) from shallow reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a scaleless, brown-marbled body with a blunt head, high-set eyes and branched fringes above the eyes. With comb-like teeth it rasps algae and biofilm from coral and rocks. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in crevices and small holes. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Fringed blenny?

The Fringed blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Fringed blenny live?

The Fringed blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Em. and others

How big does the Fringed blenny get?

The Fringed blenny grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Fringed blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Fringed 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.

More photos

Fringed blenny (Mimoblennius cirrosus) — Blenniidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Rafi Amar, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fringed blenny (Mimoblennius cirrosus) — Blenniidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Rafi Amar, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fringed blenny (Mimoblennius cirrosus) — Blenniidae — 4
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fringed blenny (Mimoblennius cirrosus) — Blenniidae — 5
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Fringed blenny sourced
Scientific name
Mimoblennius cirrosus
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Fringed blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Em. and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Territorial
Yes 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 Mimoblennius

More from the family Blenniidae

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