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Barfin blenny (Malacoctenus versicolor) — Labrisomidae

Barfin blenny

Malacoctenus versicolor
Family: Labrisomidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Barfin blenny (Malacoctenus versicolor) is a saltwater fish of the family Labrisomidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–7.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The barfin blenny is a small blenny from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a stocky body with skin fringes above the eyes and a variable, spotted and banded colour pattern that blends in well on the reef. As a bottom-dweller it often sits still on coral and rock in shallow water and snaps at small crustaceans and other benthic life. The fish is harmless to humans. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Barfin blenny?

The Barfin blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Barfin blenny live?

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

How big does the Barfin blenny get?

The Barfin blenny grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Barfin blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Barfin blenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Barfin blenny edible?

The Barfin blenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bonte rifslijmvis verified
English name
Barfin blenny verified
Scientific name
Malacoctenus versicolor
Family
Labrisomidae
Other names
Barfin Blenny; Barfin blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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 Malacoctenus

More from the family Labrisomidae

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