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Downy blenny (Gobioclinus kalisherae) — Labrisomidae

Downy blenny

Gobioclinus kalisherae
Family: Labrisomidae
LC · Least Concern

The Downy blenny (Gobioclinus kalisherae) is a saltwater fish of the family Labrisomidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The downy blenny is a small blenny from the western Atlantic, ranging from southeastern Florida and Mexico to Brazil. It grows to about 7.5 cm and has an elongate body with head cirri. It lives on rocky and rubble shores with algal mats, on coral reefs and in seagrass beds, where it shelters in holes and crevices or among coral. The fish feeds mainly on crustaceans. It is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Downy blenny?

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

Where does the Downy blenny live?

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

How big does the Downy blenny get?

The Downy blenny grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Downy blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Downy blenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Downy blenny edible?

The Downy blenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dons-slijmvis verified
English name
Downy blenny verified
Scientific name
Gobioclinus kalisherae
Family
Labrisomidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
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)
0 sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

Same genus Gobioclinus

More from the family Labrisomidae

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