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Tessellated blenny (Hypsoblennius invemar) — Blenniidae

Tessellated blenny

Hypsoblennius invemar
Family: Blenniidae

The Tessellated blenny (Hypsoblennius invemar) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
5.8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–5.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The tessellated blenny is a small scaleless blenny (Blenniidae) from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a stocky body with a fine mosaic pattern and fringe-like appendages above the eyes. It occupies empty barnacles on pilings, wrecks and rocks, from which only the head protrudes, and snaps at small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tessellated blenny?

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

Where does the Tessellated blenny live?

The Tessellated blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Tessellated blenny get?

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

Is the Tessellated blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Tessellated blenny is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Mozaiek-slijmvis sourced
English name
Tessellated blenny sourced
Scientific name
Hypsoblennius invemar
Family
Blenniidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.8 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
5.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
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 Hypsoblennius

More from the family Blenniidae

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