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Interrupted blenny (Blenniella interrupta) — Blenniidae

Interrupted blenny

Blenniella interrupta
Family: Blenniidae

The Interrupted blenny (Blenniella interrupta) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–2.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Solomon Is., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Vanuatu, Palau, Papua New Guinea and others

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Description

The Interrupted blenny is a combtooth blenny (Blenniidae) from shallow reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a scaleless, brown-marbled body with a blunt head, high-set eyes and small skin fringes above the eyes. With a mouth full of comb-like teeth it rasps algae and biofilm from coral and rocks in the surf. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in crevices and small holes. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Interrupted blenny?

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

Where does the Interrupted blenny live?

The Interrupted blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Solomon Is., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Vanuatu, Palau, Papua New Guinea and others

How big does the Interrupted blenny get?

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

Is the Interrupted blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Interrupted 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

Interrupted blenny (Blenniella interrupta) — Blenniidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Interrupted blenny (Blenniella interrupta) — Blenniidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Interrupted blenny (Blenniella interrupta) — Blenniidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Roxanne Lazarus, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Interrupted blenny (Blenniella interrupta) — Blenniidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) 劉佳勳, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Interrupted blenny sourced
Scientific name
Blenniella interrupta
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
dash-line blenny; Dashed-line 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
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
2.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Solomon Is., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Vanuatu, Palau, Papua New Guinea 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 Blenniella

More from the family Blenniidae

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