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Pearl blenny (Entomacrodus nigricans) — Blenniidae

Pearl blenny

Entomacrodus nigricans
Family: Blenniidae
LC · Least Concern

The Pearl blenny (Entomacrodus nigricans) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–6.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Intertidal zone of the western Atlantic and the Caribbean.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The pearl blenny (Entomacrodus nigricans) is a small, bottom-dwelling blenny of the family Blenniidae from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species has a scaleless, brownish mottled body with pale, pearly spots and small skin appendages (cirri) above the eyes; it reaches about 10 cm. Adults inhabit the intertidal zone, such as tide pools, rocky slopes and places with boulders on the bottom, where they actively shuttle between pools. As a bottom dweller it grazes mainly algae from the stones. Owing to its small size the species has no fishery value.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pearl blenny?

The Pearl blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Pearly speckles and skin cirri above the eyes; algae-eating inhabitant of tidal pools.

Where does the Pearl blenny live?

The Pearl blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Intertidal zone of the western Atlantic and the Caribbean.

How big does the Pearl blenny get?

The Pearl blenny grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Pearl blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Pearl 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.

Is the Pearl blenny edible?

The Pearl blenny is not usually eaten.

More photos

Pearl blenny (Entomacrodus nigricans) — Blenniidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Luke Foster, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Pearl blenny (Entomacrodus nigricans) — Blenniidae — 3
Taylor Justason (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Pearl blenny (Entomacrodus nigricans) — Blenniidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Sue, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Pearl blenny (Entomacrodus nigricans) — Blenniidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Ben Eddy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Pearl blenny verified
Scientific name
Entomacrodus nigricans
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Pearl Blenny; Pearl blenny verified

Appearance

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

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
Intertidal zone of the western Atlantic and the Caribbean. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae grazed from stones sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Pearly speckles and skin cirri above the eyes; algae-eating inhabitant of tidal pools. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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 Entomacrodus

More from the family Blenniidae

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