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Germain's blenny (Omobranchus germaini) — Blenniidae

Germain's blenny

Omobranchus germaini
Family: Blenniidae

The Germain's blenny (Omobranchus germaini) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–3.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, New Caledonia and others

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Description

Germain's blenny is a small, scaleless blenny (Blenniidae) from coastal and estuarine water of the western Pacific, off Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a slender, mottled body with a blunt head and a continuous dorsal fin. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in empty shells, tubes and crevices of shallow water, mangroves and oyster beds and rasps algae or snaps small invertebrate life. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Germain's blenny?

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

Where does the Germain's blenny live?

The Germain's blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, New Caledonia and others

How big does the Germain's blenny get?

The Germain's blenny grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Germain's blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Germain's 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

Germain's blenny (Omobranchus germaini) — Blenniidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Sylke Rohrlach (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Germain's blenny (Omobranchus germaini) — Blenniidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Gomen See, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Germain's blenny (Omobranchus germaini) — Blenniidae — 4
Alex Fox (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Germain's blenny (Omobranchus germaini) — Blenniidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Tobias Westmeier, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Germain's blenny sourced
Scientific name
Omobranchus germaini
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Germain's blenny; Germain's oysterblenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 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)
3.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, New Caledonia 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 Omobranchus

More from the family Blenniidae

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