Home · Blenniidae · Striped blenny
Striped blenny (Parablennius rouxi) — Blenniidae

Striped blenny

Parablennius rouxi
Family: Blenniidae
LC · Least Concern

The Striped blenny (Parablennius rouxi) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–42.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The striped blenny is a small, scaleless rock fish of the family Blenniidae reaching about 8 cm. Characteristic is the sharp black lengthwise stripe running from the snout through the eye to the tail over a pale, white-grey body; above each eye sits a small, feathery skin flap. The species lives on shallow rock and stone bottoms of the Mediterranean and the adjacent eastern Atlantic, sheltering in crevices, empty shells and worm tubes. As a bottom-dweller it hunts small crustaceans and invertebrates. The male defends a shelter and guards the eggs laid in it. Because of its striking stripe it is a favourite subject for underwater photographers.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Striped blenny?

The Striped blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly white and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Striped blenny live?

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

How big does the Striped blenny get?

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

Is the Striped blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Striped blenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Striped blenny edible?

The Striped blenny is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gestreepte slijmvis inferred
English name
Striped blenny verified
Scientific name
Parablennius rouxi
Family
Blenniidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes 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 verified
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
42.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
Yes verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No 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

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →