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Mexican blenny (Paraclinus mexicanus) — Labrisomidae

Mexican blenny

Paraclinus mexicanus
Family: Labrisomidae
LC · Least Concern

The Mexican blenny (Paraclinus mexicanus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labrisomidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; shallow coastal waters and seagrass beds from Baja California to Ecuador.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Mexican blenny is a tiny bottom fish of the scaled blenny family (Labrisomidae) from the eastern Pacific, from Baja California to Ecuador. The species grows to only about 4 cm and has a slender, mottled body with small skin flaps above the eyes, which hides well among seagrass, algae and rocks. It inhabits shallow coastal waters and seagrass beds. As a small bottom predator it feeds on small crustaceans and other invertebrates. Owing to its camouflage and small size it is barely noticed. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mexican blenny?

The Mexican blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Marbled body with skin flaps above the eyes; small camouflaged seagrass and reef bottom fish.

Where does the Mexican blenny live?

The Mexican blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Eastern Pacific; shallow coastal waters and seagrass beds from Baja California to Ecuador.

How big does the Mexican blenny get?

The Mexican blenny grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Mexican blenny dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Mexican blenny edible?

The Mexican blenny is not usually eaten.

More photos

Mexican blenny (Paraclinus mexicanus) — Labrisomidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Alberto Alcalá, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Mexican blenny (Paraclinus mexicanus) — Labrisomidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Alberto Alcalá, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Mexican blenny (Paraclinus mexicanus) — Labrisomidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Alberto Alcalá, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Mexican blenny (Paraclinus mexicanus) — Labrisomidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Alberto Alcalá, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Mexican blenny verified
Scientific name
Paraclinus mexicanus
Family
Labrisomidae
Other names
Mexican blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin 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 coastal waters and seagrass beds from Baja California to Ecuador. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans and other invertebrates 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
Marbled body with skin flaps above the eyes; small camouflaged seagrass and reef bottom fish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. 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 Paraclinus

More from the family Labrisomidae

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