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Galapagos blenny (Starksia galapagensis) — Labrisomidae

Galapagos blenny

Starksia galapagensis
Family: Labrisomidae

The Galapagos blenny (Starksia galapagensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Labrisomidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–25.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Galapagos blenny is a very small blenny (Labrisomidae) endemic to the Galapagos Islands. The species grows to about 5 cm and has an elongate, brown-mottled body that blends well with rock and coral rubble. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in crevices and holes of shallow rocky reefs and snaps at small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Galapagos blenny?

The Galapagos blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Galapagos blenny live?

The Galapagos blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Galapagos blenny get?

The Galapagos blenny grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Galapagos blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Galapagos blenny is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Galapagos-slijmvis sourced
English name
Galapagos blenny sourced
Scientific name
Starksia galapagensis
Family
Labrisomidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Starksia

More from the family Labrisomidae

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