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Western blenny (Starksia occidentalis) — Labrisomidae

Western blenny

Starksia occidentalis
Family: Labrisomidae

The Western blenny (Starksia occidentalis) is a saltwater fish of the family Labrisomidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–20.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The western blenny is a small blenny (Labrisomidae) from shallow reef water of the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a slender, red-brown body with dark bars, a pointed head and small skin flaps above the eyes. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among coral, sponges and rock crevices and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Western blenny?

The Western blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Western blenny live?

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

How big does the Western blenny get?

The Western blenny grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Western blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Western blenny is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Westelijke rifslijmvis sourced
English name
Western blenny sourced
Scientific name
Starksia occidentalis
Family
Labrisomidae
Other names
Occidental blenny sourced

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 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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