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Freshwater blenny (Salaria fluviatilis) — Blenniidae

Freshwater blenny

Salaria fluviatilis
Family: Blenniidae
LC · Least Concern

The Freshwater blenny (Salaria fluviatilis) is a freshwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–2 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The freshwater blenny is one of the few blennies that lives in fresh water; this species of the family Blenniidae reaches about 15 cm. The stout, scaleless body is brownish with dark cross-bars and bluish speckles; males have a crest on the head. The species occurs in clear lakes, rivers and streams with a stony or gravelly bottom around the Mediterranean. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among stones and hunts insect larvae, snails and small crustaceans. The male defends a cavity under a stone and guards the eggs laid in it. Through loss and pollution of its habitat and through introduced predators many populations are under pressure.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Freshwater blenny?

The Freshwater blenny is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Freshwater blenny live?

The Freshwater blenny lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Freshwater blenny get?

The Freshwater blenny grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Freshwater blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Freshwater blenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Freshwater blenny edible?

The Freshwater blenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Rivierslijmvis inferred
English name
Freshwater blenny verified
Scientific name
Salaria fluviatilis
Family
Blenniidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
15 verified
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars 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
Freshwater verified
Substrate
Stone or rock verified
Min depth (m)
0 verified
Max depth (m)
2 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
Yes 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 verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Salaria

More from the family Blenniidae

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