Home · Blenniidae · Smith's blenny
Smith's blenny (Omobranchus smithi) — Blenniidae

Smith's blenny

Omobranchus smithi
Family: Blenniidae

The Smith's blenny (Omobranchus smithi) 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
Asia: India, Singapore, Viet Nam, Thailand

Want the complete picture on the Smith's blenny?

Get the app

Description

The Smith's blenny is a combtooth blenny (Blenniidae) from shallow rocky and intertidal water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 7 cm and has an elongate, scaleless 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 Smith's blenny?

The Smith's blenny has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Smith's blenny live?

The Smith's blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: India, Singapore, Viet Nam, Thailand

How big does the Smith's blenny get?

The Smith's blenny grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Smith's blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Smith's 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.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Smith's blenny?

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

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Smith's blenny sourced
Scientific name
Omobranchus smithi
Family
Blenniidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
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
Asia: India, Singapore, Viet Nam, Thailand 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

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 Omobranchus

More from the family Blenniidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Smith's blenny?

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

Get the app →
Is this the Smith's blenny? Get the app