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Largemouth blenny (Labrisomus xanti) — Labrisomidae

Largemouth blenny

Labrisomus xanti
Family: Labrisomidae
LC · Least Concern

The Largemouth blenny (Labrisomus xanti) is a saltwater fish of the family Labrisomidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
17.8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; shallow rocky reefs and tide pools.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The largemouth blenny is a bottom fish of the scaled blenny family (Labrisomidae) from the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 18 cm and has a stocky, mottled body with a large head, thick lips and skin flaps (cirri) above the eyes. It inhabits shallow rocky reefs and tide pools. As a diurnal ambush predator it feeds mainly on benthic crustaceans, supplemented with molluscs and small fishes. Males guard the eggs laid on the rocks. Owing to its camouflage it is little noticed among the rocks. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Largemouth blenny?

The Largemouth blenny has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Large head with thick lips and skin flaps above the eyes; hunter of rocky bottoms, active during the day.

Where does the Largemouth blenny live?

The Largemouth blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Eastern Pacific; shallow rocky reefs and tide pools.

How big does the Largemouth blenny get?

The Largemouth blenny grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Largemouth blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Largemouth blenny is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Largemouth blenny edible?

The Largemouth blenny is not usually eaten.

More photos

Largemouth blenny (Labrisomus xanti) — Labrisomidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Jonathan Williams, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Largemouth blenny (Labrisomus xanti) — Labrisomidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Alberto Alcalá (CC BY 4.0)
Largemouth blenny (Labrisomus xanti) — Labrisomidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Seth C, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Largemouth blenny (Labrisomus xanti) — Labrisomidae — 5
Moises de Jesús Castillo Gallardo (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
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All data

Identification

English name
Largemouth blenny verified
Scientific name
Labrisomus xanti
Family
Labrisomidae
Other names
Largemouth blenny verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; shallow rocky reefs and tide pools. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Mainly bottom-dwelling crustaceans, plus molluscs and small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Large head with thick lips and skin flaps above the eyes; hunter of rocky bottoms, active during the day. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. 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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