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Thepass' sabretooth blenny (Petroscirtes thepassii) — Blenniidae

Thepass' sabretooth blenny

Petroscirtes thepassii
Family: Blenniidae

The Thepass' sabretooth blenny (Petroscirtes thepassii) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
5.9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–5.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Solomon Is., Indonesia, Micronesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea

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Description

Thepass' sabretooth blenny is a fangblenny (Blenniidae) from shallow reef and lagoon water of the western Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a slender, scaleless body and a pair of large, backward-curved canine teeth in the lower jaw. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in empty shells, tubes and crevices and snaps at small invertebrates and algae. It can deliver a defensive nip with the teeth, but is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Thepass' sabretooth blenny?

The Thepass' sabretooth blenny has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Thepass' sabretooth blenny live?

The Thepass' sabretooth blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Solomon Is., Indonesia, Micronesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea

How big does the Thepass' sabretooth blenny get?

The Thepass' sabretooth blenny grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Thepass' sabretooth blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Thepass' sabretooth blenny 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Thepass' sabretooth blenny sourced
Scientific name
Petroscirtes thepassii
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Thepas' fangblenny; Thepas' sabretooth blenny; Bulbsnout fangblenny verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
5.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Solomon Is., Indonesia, Micronesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Territorial
Yes 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 Petroscirtes

More from the family Blenniidae

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