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Rock-pool blenny (Parablennius parvicornis) — Blenniidae

Rock-pool blenny

Parablennius parvicornis
Family: Blenniidae
LC · Least Concern

The Rock-pool blenny (Parablennius parvicornis) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–1.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The rock-pool blenny is a small, scaleless fish of the family Blenniidae reaching about 12 cm. It has a blunt, rounded head with small fringed tentacles above the eyes, a continuous dorsal fin and a stout body in brown, heavily mottled camouflage colours. The species lives in tide pools and on rocky shores of the eastern Atlantic around the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands, often in very shallow water. It grazes on algae and small invertebrates. It is a bottom-dweller that shelters among stones and crevices; the male defends a territory and guards the deposited eggs until they hatch.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Rock-pool blenny?

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

Where does the Rock-pool blenny live?

The Rock-pool blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Rock-pool blenny get?

The Rock-pool blenny grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Rock-pool blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Rock-pool blenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Rock-pool blenny edible?

The Rock-pool blenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Rotspoel-slijmvis verified
English name
Rock-pool blenny verified
Scientific name
Parablennius parvicornis
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Rock-pool blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore verified
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
Yes verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
Yes verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Parablennius

More from the family Blenniidae

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