Fin's Fish Guide
The Serpent blenny (Lumpenus lampretaeformis) is a saltwater fish of the family Stichaeidae that grows up to 50 cm.
North Atlantic from Svalbard to Massachusetts Bay, including Scandinavia, Iceland, Greenland and the Baltic Sea.
Description
The snakeblenny is a very elongate, eel-like bottom fish of the family Stichaeidae reaching about 50 cm. A long, continuous dorsal fin runs along almost the whole body, the anal fin along two-thirds, and the tail tapers to a point. The colour is pale brown on the back, bluish on the flanks and greenish-yellow on the belly, with numerous irregular brown patches. The species lives on mud bottoms of the northern Atlantic, North Sea and Baltic, usually between 40 and 100 m, in self-dug Y-shaped tubes. It feeds on small crustaceans, molluscs, brittle stars and worms. The snakeblenny is of no fisheries value.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Serpent blenny?
The Serpent blenny has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Very elongated, eel-shaped small fish with a long, continuous dorsal fin and a pointed tail; lives in self-dug Y-shaped mud tubes.
Where does the Serpent blenny live?
The Serpent blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North Atlantic from Svalbard to Massachusetts Bay, including Scandinavia, Iceland, Greenland and the Baltic Sea.
How big does the Serpent blenny get?
The Serpent blenny grows to a maximum of about 50 cm.
Is the Serpent blenny dangerous to humans?
No, the Serpent blenny is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Serpent blenny edible?
The Serpent blenny is not usually eaten.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the Serpent blenny and live in the same waters.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Lumpenus
More from the family Stichaeidae
Want the complete picture on the Serpent blenny?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Serpent blenny is one of 12,519 species in the app.