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Leaping rockskipper (Alticus simplicirrus) — Blenniidae

Leaping rockskipper

Alticus simplicirrus
Family: Blenniidae

The Leaping rockskipper (Alticus simplicirrus) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Marquesas Is., French Polynesia

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Description

The leaping rockskipper is a combtooth blenny (Blenniidae) from the surf zone of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a slender, scaleless, brown-marbled body with high-set eyes. Remarkably it lives largely out of water: it climbs and skips over wet rocks in the splash zone, staying moist and diving back when in danger. With comb-like teeth it rasps algae from the rock. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Leaping rockskipper?

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

Where does the Leaping rockskipper live?

The Leaping rockskipper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Marquesas Is., French Polynesia

How big does the Leaping rockskipper get?

The Leaping rockskipper grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Leaping rockskipper dangerous to humans?

No, the Leaping rockskipper 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

Leaping rockskipper (Alticus simplicirrus) — Blenniidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) John Bromilow, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Leaping rockskipper (Alticus simplicirrus) — Blenniidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Henrik Kibak, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Leaping rockskipper (Alticus simplicirrus) — Blenniidae — 4
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Leaping rockskipper (Alticus simplicirrus) — Blenniidae — 5
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Leaping rockskipper sourced
Scientific name
Alticus simplicirrus
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Marquesan rockstripper; Marquesan rockskipper verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 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
Natural range
Oceania: Marquesas Is., French Polynesia 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 Alticus

More from the family Blenniidae

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