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Slender weedfish (Sticharium dorsale) — Clinidae

Slender weedfish

Sticharium dorsale
Family: Clinidae

The Slender weedfish (Sticharium dorsale) is a saltwater fish of the family Clinidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
9.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

The slender weedfish is a klipfish (Clinidae) from shallow seagrass and weedy water of southern Australia. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a very slender, elongate, greenish to brown body with a long, spiny dorsal fin, perfectly camouflaged among seagrass blades. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in dense growth and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Slender weedfish?

The Slender weedfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly green.

Where does the Slender weedfish live?

The Slender weedfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Slender weedfish get?

The Slender weedfish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Slender weedfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Slender weedfish 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

Slender weedfish (Sticharium dorsale) — Clinidae — 2
Mark McGrouther (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — AM
Slender weedfish (Sticharium dorsale) — Clinidae — 3
Mark McGrouther (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — AM
Slender weedfish (Sticharium dorsale) — Clinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Peter Crowcroft, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Slender weedfish (Sticharium dorsale) — Clinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Josie Jones, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Slender weedfish sourced
Scientific name
Sticharium dorsale
Family
Clinidae
Other names
Sand crawler; Slender snake blenny; Multicolor snake blenny verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Oceania: Australia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No 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

More from the family Clinidae

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