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Fucus blenny (Apodichthys fucorum) — Pholidae

Fucus blenny

Apodichthys fucorum
Family: Pholidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Fucus blenny (Apodichthys fucorum) is a saltwater fish of the family Pholidae that grows up to 23 cm.

Length
23 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–9.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northeast Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The rockweed gunnel is an elongate gunnel from the northeast Pacific, off the west coast of North America. The species grows to about 23 cm and has an eel-like, strongly compressed body that may be green or brown, matching the seaweed among which it lives. It stays in the intertidal zone among rockweed and can survive under moist cover at low tide. It feeds on small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Fucus blenny?

The Fucus blenny has a snake-like body, is mainly green and shows a plain pattern. Eel-shaped body; takes on the colour of the seaweed in the intertidal zone

Where does the Fucus blenny live?

The Fucus blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Northeast Pacific

How big does the Fucus blenny get?

The Fucus blenny grows to a maximum of about 23 cm.

Is the Fucus blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Fucus 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 Fucus blenny edible?

The Fucus blenny is not usually eaten.

More photos

Fucus blenny (Apodichthys fucorum) — Pholidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — jkirkhart35 (CC BY 2.0)
Fucus blenny (Apodichthys fucorum) — Pholidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Jeremiah Degenhardt, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Fucus blenny (Apodichthys fucorum) — Pholidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Andrew Harmer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fucus blenny (Apodichthys fucorum) — Pholidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) André Giraldi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Fucus blenny verified
Scientific name
Apodichthys fucorum
Family
Pholidae
Other names
Rockweed gunnel verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
23.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Green inferred
Pattern
Plain 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
9.0 verified
Natural range
Northeast Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans and worms inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Intertidal-zone seaweed-dweller; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Eel-shaped body; takes on the colour of the seaweed in the intertidal zone sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. 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 Apodichthys

More from the family Pholidae

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