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Obscure blenny (Salarias obscurus) — Blenniidae

Obscure blenny

Salarias obscurus
Family: Blenniidae

The Obscure blenny (Salarias obscurus) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–6.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines

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Description

The Obscure blenny is a combtooth blenny (Blenniidae) from shallow reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a scaleless, stocky, brown-marbled body with a blunt, high head, bulging eyes and cirri. With comb-like teeth it rasps algae and biofilm from coral and rock. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in crevices, holes and empty shells. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Obscure blenny?

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

Where does the Obscure blenny live?

The Obscure blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines

How big does the Obscure blenny get?

The Obscure blenny grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Obscure blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Obscure 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

Obscure blenny (Salarias obscurus) — Blenniidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Ditch Townsend, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Obscure blenny sourced
Scientific name
Salarias obscurus
Family
Blenniidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
6.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines 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 Salarias

More from the family Blenniidae

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