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Niue blenny (Ecsenius niue) — Blenniidae

Niue blenny

Ecsenius niue
Family: Blenniidae

The Niue blenny (Ecsenius niue) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–13.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Niue

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Description

The Niue blenny is a small combtooth blenny (Blenniidae) from the central Pacific. The species grows to about 3 cm and has an elongate, scaleless body with a blunt head. This tiny species bears fine stripes and spots. 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 Niue blenny?

The Niue blenny has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Niue blenny live?

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

How big does the Niue blenny get?

The Niue blenny grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Niue blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Niue 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

Niue blenny (Ecsenius niue) — Blenniidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) cfr812, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Niue blenny (Ecsenius niue) — Blenniidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Debra Baker, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Niue blenny (Ecsenius niue) — Blenniidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Debra Baker, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Niue blenny (Ecsenius niue) — Blenniidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) dspencer_photo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Niue blenny sourced
Scientific name
Ecsenius niue
Family
Blenniidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.1 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
13.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Niue 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

Fin

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