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Gossamer blenny (Omobranchus ferox) — Blenniidae

Gossamer blenny

Omobranchus ferox
Family: Blenniidae
NativeIntroduced

The Gossamer blenny (Omobranchus ferox) is a brackish-water fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, India, Indonesia, Japan and others

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Description

The Gossamer blenny is a combtooth blenny (Blenniidae) from shallow coastal, brackish and estuarine water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a scaleless, stocky, brown-marbled body with a blunt head and high-set eyes. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in empty shells, oyster beds, holes and among stones and rasps algae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Gossamer blenny?

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

Where does the Gossamer blenny live?

The Gossamer blenny lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, India, Indonesia, Japan and others

How big does the Gossamer blenny get?

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

Is the Gossamer blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Gossamer 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

Gossamer blenny (Omobranchus ferox) — Blenniidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Rui, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Gossamer blenny (Omobranchus ferox) — Blenniidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) sdyaung, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Gossamer blenny (Omobranchus ferox) — Blenniidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Nick Volpe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Gossamer blenny (Omobranchus ferox) — Blenniidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) smithsonian_marinegeo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Gossamer blenny sourced
Scientific name
Omobranchus ferox
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Gossamer blenny; Fang-toothed blenny; Gossamer oysterblenny; Rotund blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, India, Indonesia, Japan 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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