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Krauss' blenny (Enchelyurus kraussii) — Blenniidae

Krauss' blenny

Enchelyurus kraussii
Family: Blenniidae

The Krauss' blenny (Enchelyurus kraussii) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–15.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Comoros, Guam, India, Indonesia and others

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Description

Krauss' blenny is a small, scaleless blenny (Blenniidae) from the western Indian Ocean. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a dark, stocky body with a blunt head. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in empty shells, worm tubes and crevices of shallow coral and rocky reefs and rasps algae and growth with comb teeth or snaps at small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Krauss' blenny?

The Krauss' blenny has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly black.

Where does the Krauss' blenny live?

The Krauss' blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Comoros, Guam, India, Indonesia and others

How big does the Krauss' blenny get?

The Krauss' blenny grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Krauss' blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Krauss' 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

Krauss' blenny (Enchelyurus kraussii) — Blenniidae — 2
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Krauss' blenny sourced
Scientific name
Enchelyurus kraussii
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Krauss' blenny; Krauss's blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Black 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)
15.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Comoros, Guam, India, Indonesia 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 Enchelyurus

More from the family Blenniidae

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