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Steindachner's rockskipper (Istiblennius steindachneri) — Blenniidae

Steindachner's rockskipper

Istiblennius steindachneri
Family: Blenniidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Steindachner's rockskipper (Istiblennius steindachneri) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Steindachner's rockskipper is a small blenny from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 11 cm and has an elongate, scaleless body with a blunt head, skin fringes above the eyes and a mottled colour. As a dweller of the turbulent intertidal zone it clings to rocks and in tidal pools and can jump among moist rocks. With its comb-like mouth it rasps algal mat from the bottom. The fish is harmless to humans and has no commercial value. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Steindachner's rockskipper?

The Steindachner's rockskipper has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Skin fringes above the eyes and a comb-toothed mouth; leaping intertidal rockskipper

Where does the Steindachner's rockskipper live?

The Steindachner's rockskipper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Indo-West Pacific

How big does the Steindachner's rockskipper get?

The Steindachner's rockskipper grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Steindachner's rockskipper dangerous to humans?

No, the Steindachner's rockskipper 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.

Is the Steindachner's rockskipper edible?

The Steindachner's rockskipper is not usually eaten.

More photos

Steindachner's rockskipper (Istiblennius steindachneri) — Blenniidae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Steindachner's rockskipper (Istiblennius steindachneri) — Blenniidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Lisa_James, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Steindachner's rockskipper (Istiblennius steindachneri) — Blenniidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) indoplants, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Steindachner's rockskipper (Istiblennius steindachneri) — Blenniidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Lisa_James, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Steindachner's rockskipper verified
Scientific name
Istiblennius steindachneri
Family
Blenniidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algal mat (aufwuchs) inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Algae-rasping intertidal blenny; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Skin fringes above the eyes and a comb-toothed mouth; leaping intertidal rockskipper sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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 Istiblennius

More from the family Blenniidae

Fin

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