Home · Labrisomidae · Goldline blenny
Goldline blenny (Malacoctenus aurolineatus) — Labrisomidae

Goldline blenny

Malacoctenus aurolineatus
Family: Labrisomidae
LC · Least Concern

The Goldline blenny (Malacoctenus aurolineatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labrisomidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–5.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic and Caribbean; limestone, rubble and coral areas, often near sea anemones.
Edibility
Not eaten

Want the complete picture on the Goldline blenny?

Get the app

Description

The goldline blenny is a small bottom fish of the scaled blenny family (Labrisomidae) from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a mottled body with fine golden lines and skin flaps (cirri) above the eyes. It inhabits areas of limestone, rubble and coral, often near sea anemones, where it shelters among the substrate. As a small bottom predator it feeds on small crustaceans and other invertebrates. Owing to its camouflage and small size it is barely noticed. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Goldline blenny?

The Goldline blenny has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Fine golden lines and small skin flaps above the eyes; camouflaged little reef-bottom fish near sea anemones.

Where does the Goldline blenny live?

The Goldline blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic and Caribbean; limestone, rubble and coral areas, often near sea anemones.

How big does the Goldline blenny get?

The Goldline blenny grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Goldline blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Goldline blenny is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Goldline blenny edible?

The Goldline blenny is not usually eaten.

More photos

Goldline blenny (Malacoctenus aurolineatus) — Labrisomidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Sheldon Logan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Goldline blenny (Malacoctenus aurolineatus) — Labrisomidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Jonathan Williams, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Goldline blenny (Malacoctenus aurolineatus) — Labrisomidae — 4
Floyd E. Hayes (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Goldline blenny (Malacoctenus aurolineatus) — Labrisomidae — 5
Sheldon Logan (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Goldline blenny?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Goldline blenny is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Goldline blenny verified
Scientific name
Malacoctenus aurolineatus
Family
Labrisomidae
Other names
Goldline Blenny; Goldline blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped 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
Natural range
Western Atlantic and Caribbean; limestone, rubble and coral areas, often near sea anemones. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans and other invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Fine golden lines and small skin flaps above the eyes; camouflaged little reef-bottom fish near sea anemones. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Malacoctenus

More from the family Labrisomidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Goldline blenny?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Goldline blenny is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Goldline blenny? Get the app