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Sierra Leone blenny (Parablennius sierraensis) — Blenniidae

Sierra Leone blenny

Parablennius sierraensis
Family: Blenniidae

The Sierra Leone blenny (Parablennius sierraensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Angola, Cape Verde, Sierra Leone

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Description

The Sierra Leone blenny is a combtooth blenny (Blenniidae) from shallow rocky and intertidal water of the eastern Atlantic around West Africa. The species grows to about 7 cm and has an elongate, scaleless or small-scaled body with a blunt head, high-set eyes and often small skin fringes above them. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in crevices, empty shells and small holes and grazes on algae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sierra Leone blenny?

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

Where does the Sierra Leone blenny live?

The Sierra Leone blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Africa: Angola, Cape Verde, Sierra Leone

How big does the Sierra Leone blenny get?

The Sierra Leone blenny grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Sierra Leone blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Sierra Leone 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

Sierra Leone blenny (Parablennius sierraensis) — Blenniidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Thomas Menut, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Sierra Leone blenny (Parablennius sierraensis) — Blenniidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Thomas Menut, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Sierra Leone blenny sourced
Scientific name
Parablennius sierraensis
Family
Blenniidae

Appearance

Size class
Small
Max length (cm)
7 inferred
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
Natural range
Africa: Angola, Cape Verde, Sierra Leone sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
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

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 Parablennius

More from the family Blenniidae

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