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Oyster blenny (Omobranchus anolius) — Blenniidae

Oyster blenny

Omobranchus anolius
Family: Blenniidae

The Oyster blenny (Omobranchus anolius) is a brackish-water fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

The Oyster blenny is a combtooth blenny (Blenniidae) from shallow rocky and intertidal water of the coasts of Australia. 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 Oyster blenny?

The Oyster blenny has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Oyster blenny live?

The Oyster blenny lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Oyster blenny get?

The Oyster blenny grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Oyster blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Oyster 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

Oyster blenny (Omobranchus anolius) — Blenniidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Julian K. Finn (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Oyster blenny (Omobranchus anolius) — Blenniidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) joseph_dibattista, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Oyster blenny (Omobranchus anolius) — Blenniidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Sylke Rohrlach (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Oyster blenny (Omobranchus anolius) — Blenniidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) lcolmer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Oyster blenny sourced
Scientific name
Omobranchus anolius
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Oyster blenny; Crested blenny verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Oceania: Australia 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 Omobranchus

More from the family Blenniidae

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