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Smith's blenny (Omobranchus smithi) — Blenniidae

Smith's blenny

Omobranchus smithi
Family: Blenniidae

The Smith's blenny (Omobranchus smithi) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Smith's blenny is a combtooth blenny (Blenniidae) from shallow rocky and intertidal water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 7 cm and has an elongate, scaleless body with a blunt head, high-set eyes and often small skin fringes above them. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in crevices, empty shells and small holes and grazes on algae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Smith's blenny?

The Smith's blenny has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Smith's blenny live?

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

How big does the Smith's blenny get?

The Smith's blenny grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Smith's blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Smith's blenny is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Smiths slijmvis sourced
English name
Smith's blenny sourced
Scientific name
Omobranchus smithi
Family
Blenniidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Omobranchus

More from the family Blenniidae

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