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Linear blenny (Ecsenius lineatus) — Blenniidae

Linear blenny

Ecsenius lineatus
Family: Blenniidae

The Linear blenny (Ecsenius lineatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–28.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Brunei Darsm, Sri Lanka, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan and others

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Description

The Linear blenny is a small combtooth blenny (Blenniidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 9 cm and has an elongate, scaleless body with a blunt head. A fine dark longitudinal stripe runs along the flank. As a bottom-dweller it perches on coral and rocky reefs, shelters in empty worm tubes and rasps algae and growth with comb-like teeth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Linear blenny?

The Linear blenny has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Linear blenny live?

The Linear blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, Brunei Darsm, Sri Lanka, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan and others

How big does the Linear blenny get?

The Linear blenny grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Linear blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Linear 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

Linear blenny (Ecsenius lineatus) — Blenniidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Storm Martin, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Linear blenny (Ecsenius lineatus) — Blenniidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Francois Libert, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Linear blenny (Ecsenius lineatus) — Blenniidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Linear blenny (Ecsenius lineatus) — Blenniidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Linear blenny sourced
Scientific name
Ecsenius lineatus
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Linear blenny; Lined blenny; Lined comb-tooth; Lined combtooth blenny; Lined combtooth-blenny; Lined coralblenny; Striped blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
28.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Brunei Darsm, Sri Lanka, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan 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 Ecsenius

More from the family Blenniidae

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