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Ethiopian snakeblenny (Haliophis aethiopus) — Pseudochromidae

Ethiopian snakeblenny

Haliophis aethiopus

The Ethiopian snakeblenny (Haliophis aethiopus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pseudochromidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–20.0 m
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Ethiopian snakeblenny is a snake blenny (Plesiopidae) from shallow reef and rocky water of the western Indian Ocean. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a very slender, elongate, eel-like body with a long, continuous dorsal and anal fin and small eyes. As a cryptic, nocturnal bottom-dweller it wriggles among coral rubble, crevices and weed and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ethiopian snakeblenny?

The Ethiopian snakeblenny has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Ethiopian snakeblenny live?

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

How big does the Ethiopian snakeblenny get?

The Ethiopian snakeblenny grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Ethiopian snakeblenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Ethiopian snakeblenny is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Ethiopische slangslijmvis sourced
English name
Ethiopian snakeblenny sourced
Scientific name
Haliophis aethiopus
Family
Pseudochromidae
Other names
Bali eelblenny sourced

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Haliophis

More from the family Pseudochromidae

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