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Puffcheek blenny (Gobioclinus bucciferus) — Labrisomidae

Puffcheek blenny

Gobioclinus bucciferus
Family: Labrisomidae
LC · Least Concern

The Puffcheek blenny (Gobioclinus bucciferus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labrisomidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–5.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The puffcheek blenny is a small blenny-like fish of the scaled blenny family (Labrisomidae) from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 9 cm and has a stocky, brownish and mottled body with puffed cheeks, to which its name refers, and small skin flaps above the eyes. It inhabits rocky and rubble shores with algal mats, reefs and seagrass beds. As a small bottom predator it feeds on small invertebrates. Owing to its camouflage and secretive habits it is little noticed. Owing to its small size the species has no fishery value and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Puffcheek blenny?

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

Where does the Puffcheek blenny live?

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

How big does the Puffcheek blenny get?

The Puffcheek blenny grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Puffcheek blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Puffcheek blenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Puffcheek blenny edible?

The Puffcheek blenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bolwang-slijmvis sourced
English name
Puffcheek blenny verified
Scientific name
Gobioclinus bucciferus
Family
Labrisomidae
Other names
Puffcheek blenny; Puffcheek Blenny verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
5.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

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

Same genus Gobioclinus

More from the family Labrisomidae

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