Home · Blenniidae · Horned klipfish
Horned klipfish (Hirculops cornifer) — Blenniidae

Horned klipfish

Hirculops cornifer
Family: Blenniidae

The Horned klipfish (Hirculops cornifer) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Bahrain, India, Kenya, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and others

Want the complete picture on the Horned klipfish?

Get the app

Description

The horned klipfish is a klipfish (Clinidae) from shallow rocky and reef water of the western Indian Ocean. The species grows to about 10 cm and has an elongate, slender, brown-marbled body with cirri above the eyes that resemble little horns, and a long, spiny dorsal fin. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among weed, coral rubble and crevices and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Horned klipfish?

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

Where does the Horned klipfish live?

The Horned klipfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Bahrain, India, Kenya, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and others

How big does the Horned klipfish get?

The Horned klipfish grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Horned klipfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Horned klipfish 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

Horned klipfish (Hirculops cornifer) — Blenniidae — 2
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Horned klipfish (Hirculops cornifer) — Blenniidae — 3
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Horned klipfish (Hirculops cornifer) — Blenniidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Alexandra Laking, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Horned klipfish (Hirculops cornifer) — Blenniidae — 5
P.C. Heemstra (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Horned klipfish?

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

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Horned klipfish sourced
Scientific name
Hirculops cornifer
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Highbrow rockskipper; Highbrow 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
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Asia: Bahrain, India, Kenya, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar 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

More from the family Blenniidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Horned klipfish?

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

Get the app →
Is this the Horned klipfish? Get the app