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Sabertooth blenny (Plagiotremus azaleus) — Blenniidae

Sabertooth blenny

Plagiotremus azaleus
Family: Blenniidae
LC · Least Concern

The Sabertooth blenny (Plagiotremus azaleus) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–23.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The sabertooth blenny is a small, elongate blenny (Blenniidae) from the eastern Pacific, from the Gulf of California to Peru and the Galapagos. The species reaches about 10 cm and has a blue, striped body with which it mimics the harmless rainbow wrasse. From empty worm-snail shells, where it peers out head-first, it joins loose groups of those wrasses and darts out to snatch bits of mucus, skin and scales from other fishes. The skin of larger fishes is the mainstay of its diet. The male guards the eggs in its shelter.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sabertooth blenny?

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

Where does the Sabertooth blenny live?

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

How big does the Sabertooth blenny get?

The Sabertooth blenny grows to a maximum of about 10 cm. On average the species is around 7 cm.

Is the Sabertooth blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Sabertooth blenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Sabertooth blenny edible?

The Sabertooth blenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sabeltand-slijmvis sourced
English name
Sabertooth blenny verified
Scientific name
Plagiotremus azaleus
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Sabertooth blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Average length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
23.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
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 Plagiotremus

More from the family Blenniidae

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