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Phallic blenny (Starksia spinipenis) — Labrisomidae

Phallic blenny

Starksia spinipenis
Family: Labrisomidae

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

Length
5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Phallic blenny is a small blenny (Labrisomidae) from shallow reef water of the eastern Pacific, around the Galapagos and Central America. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a slender, brown with dark crossbars body with 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 Phallic blenny?

The Phallic blenny has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Phallic blenny live?

The Phallic blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Phallic blenny get?

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

Is the Phallic blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Phallic blenny is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Galapagos-slijmvis sourced
English name
Phallic blenny sourced
Scientific name
Starksia spinipenis
Family
Labrisomidae
Other names
Phallic blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
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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