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Mimic blenny (Gobioclinus guppyi) — Labrisomidae

Mimic blenny

Gobioclinus guppyi
Family: Labrisomidae
LC · Least Concern

The Mimic blenny (Gobioclinus guppyi) is a saltwater fish of the family Labrisomidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
11.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic and Caribbean.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The mimic blenny is a small bottom fish of the scaled blenny family (Labrisomidae) of the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 11.5 cm and has an elongate, scaled body with a continuous dorsal fin and small skin fringes above the eyes. It lives on rocky and rubble-strewn shores with algal mats, on reefs and in seagrass beds, where it shelters among vegetation and stones. As a bottom hunter it feeds on small invertebrates. The species has no commercial value and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mimic blenny?

The Mimic blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Small skin fringes above the eyes; shelters among stones and algae.

Where does the Mimic blenny live?

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

How big does the Mimic blenny get?

The Mimic blenny grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Mimic blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Mimic 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.

Is the Mimic blenny edible?

The Mimic blenny is not usually eaten.

More photos

Mimic blenny (Gobioclinus guppyi) — Labrisomidae — 2
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Mimic blenny (Gobioclinus guppyi) — Labrisomidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Mimic blenny (Gobioclinus guppyi) — Labrisomidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Sue, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Mimic blenny (Gobioclinus guppyi) — Labrisomidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Kerry Lewis, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Mimic blenny verified
Scientific name
Gobioclinus guppyi
Family
Labrisomidae
Other names
Mimic blenny; Mimic Blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.5 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
Western Atlantic and Caribbean. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Males guard the eggs laid on the substrate. inferred
Special features
Small skin fringes above the eyes; shelters among stones and algae. 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
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 Gobioclinus

More from the family Labrisomidae

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