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Quillfin Blenny (Gobioclinus filamentosus) — Labrisomidae

Quillfin Blenny

Gobioclinus filamentosus
Family: Labrisomidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Quillfin Blenny (Gobioclinus filamentosus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labrisomidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
12.0–35.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The quillfin blenny is a small blenny from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 12 cm and has an elongate, brown-mottled body with skin fringes above the eyes and, in males, thread-like elongated front dorsal-fin rays. As a secretive reef-dweller it clings in crevices and among coral rubble and hunts small crustaceans and other benthic life. The fish is harmless to humans and has no commercial value. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Quillfin Blenny?

The Quillfin Blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Skin fringes above the eyes and thread-like dorsal fin rays (male); secretive reef blenny

Where does the Quillfin Blenny live?

The Quillfin Blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic

How big does the Quillfin Blenny get?

The Quillfin Blenny grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Quillfin Blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Quillfin 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 Quillfin Blenny edible?

The Quillfin Blenny is not usually eaten.

More photos

Quillfin Blenny (Gobioclinus filamentosus) — Labrisomidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Captain Scott H. Sexton, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Quillfin Blenny (Gobioclinus filamentosus) — Labrisomidae — 3
Florent Charpin (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Quillfin Blenny (Gobioclinus filamentosus) — Labrisomidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Frederik gustavsson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Quillfin Blenny (Gobioclinus filamentosus) — Labrisomidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Pc.wiki4 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Quillfin Blenny verified
Scientific name
Gobioclinus filamentosus
Family
Labrisomidae
Other names
Quillfin 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 sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
12.0 verified
Max depth (m)
35.0 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans and benthic life inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Hidden reef blenny; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Skin fringes above the eyes and thread-like dorsal fin rays (male); secretive reef blenny 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 Gobioclinus

More from the family Labrisomidae

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