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Hairy blenny (Labrisomus nuchipinnis) — Labrisomidae

Hairy blenny

Labrisomus nuchipinnis
Family: Labrisomidae
LC · Least Concern

The Hairy blenny (Labrisomus nuchipinnis) is a saltwater fish of the family Labrisomidae that grows up to 23 cm.

Length
23 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–10.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The hairy blenny is a sturdy, bottom-dwelling fish of the family Labrisomidae reaching about 23 cm. The stout, brownish mottled body has a large head with conspicuous fringed tentacles above the eyes and on the nape, giving the species its name; males often bear a dark spot behind the head. The species lives on shallow rocky and reef shores in the Atlantic, both around the eastern island groups and along the western Atlantic coast. It shelters among stones and in crevices and hunts small crustaceans, molluscs and snails. It is a territorial species; the male guards the deposited eggs until they hatch.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hairy blenny?

The Hairy blenny has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Hairy blenny live?

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

How big does the Hairy blenny get?

The Hairy blenny grows to a maximum of about 23 cm.

Is the Hairy blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Hairy blenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Hairy blenny edible?

The Hairy blenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Harige slijmvis verified
English name
Hairy blenny verified
Scientific name
Labrisomus nuchipinnis
Family
Labrisomidae
Other names
Hairy blenny; Hairy Blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
23.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
10.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
Yes verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
Yes verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Labrisomus

More from the family Labrisomidae

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