Home · Labrisomidae · Ringed blenny
Ringed blenny (Starksia hassi) — Labrisomidae

Ringed blenny

Starksia hassi
Family: Labrisomidae

The Ringed blenny (Starksia hassi) is a saltwater fish of the family Labrisomidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
6.0–175.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Antigua Barbuda, Bahamas, Belize, Virgin Is. (UK), Cayman Is., Guadeloupe and others

Want the complete picture on the Ringed blenny?

Get the app

Description

The Ringed blenny is a small blenny (Labrisomidae) from shallow reef water of the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a slender, brown with dark rings or bands body with a pointed head and small skin flaps above the eyes. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among coral, sponges and rock crevices and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ringed blenny?

The Ringed blenny has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Ringed blenny live?

The Ringed blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. North America: Antigua Barbuda, Bahamas, Belize, Virgin Is. (UK), Cayman Is., Guadeloupe and others

How big does the Ringed blenny get?

The Ringed blenny grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Ringed blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Ringed 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.

More photos

Ringed blenny (Starksia hassi) — Labrisomidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Van Tassell & Robertson (Public domain)
Ringed blenny (Starksia hassi) — Labrisomidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Gregor Bailar, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Ringed blenny (Starksia hassi) — Labrisomidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Gregor Bailar, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Ringed blenny (Starksia hassi) — Labrisomidae — 5
Gregor Bailar (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Ringed blenny?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Ringed blenny is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Ringed blenny sourced
Scientific name
Starksia hassi
Family
Labrisomidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
6.0 verified
Max depth (m)
175.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Antigua Barbuda, Bahamas, Belize, Virgin Is. (UK), Cayman Is., Guadeloupe and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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 Starksia

More from the family Labrisomidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Ringed blenny?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Ringed blenny is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Ringed blenny? Get the app