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Southern snakeblenny (Ophiclinus antarcticus) — Clinidae

Southern snakeblenny

Ophiclinus antarcticus
Family: Clinidae

The Southern snakeblenny (Ophiclinus antarcticus) is a saltwater fish of the family Clinidae that grows up to 14 cm.

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

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Description

The Southern snakeblenny is an eel-like klipfish (Clinidae) from coastal waters of temperate coastal waters of southern Australia. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a strongly elongate, snake-like, brown-greenish body with a long, low dorsal fin and small eyes, strongly camouflaged among weed and seagrass. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in weed beds and tide pools and snaps at small crustaceans and worms; it bears live young. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Southern snakeblenny?

The Southern snakeblenny has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly green.

Where does the Southern snakeblenny live?

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

How big does the Southern snakeblenny get?

The Southern snakeblenny grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Southern snakeblenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Southern snakeblenny 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

Southern snakeblenny (Ophiclinus antarcticus) — Clinidae — 2
Doug Hoese (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — AM
Southern snakeblenny (Ophiclinus antarcticus) — Clinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) John Sear, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Southern snakeblenny (Ophiclinus antarcticus) — Clinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) ddu, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Southern snakeblenny sourced
Scientific name
Ophiclinus antarcticus
Family
Clinidae
Other names
Adelaide snake-blenny; Dusky snake blenny; Dusky snakeblenny; Dusky snake-blenny; Adelaide snakeblenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.0 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

Same genus Ophiclinus

More from the family Clinidae

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