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Tricolor coralblenny (Ecsenius tricolor) — Blenniidae

Tricolor coralblenny

Ecsenius tricolor
Family: Blenniidae

The Tricolor coralblenny (Ecsenius tricolor) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–10.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines

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Description

The Tricolor coralblenny is a small combtooth blenny (Blenniidae) from reef water of the western Pacific. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, stocky body with a blunt, round head, high-set eyes and often fine stripes or spots. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in empty worm tubes, coral crevices and small holes, often projecting only its head, and rasps algae and biofilm with comb-like teeth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tricolor coralblenny?

The Tricolor coralblenny has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Tricolor coralblenny live?

The Tricolor coralblenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines

How big does the Tricolor coralblenny get?

The Tricolor coralblenny grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Tricolor coralblenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Tricolor coralblenny 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.

More photos

Tricolor coralblenny (Ecsenius tricolor) — Blenniidae — 2
Franks, April (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Tricolor coralblenny (Ecsenius tricolor) — Blenniidae — 3
Albert Kang (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Tricolor coralblenny (Ecsenius tricolor) — Blenniidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Albert Kang, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Tricolor coralblenny (Ecsenius tricolor) — Blenniidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Jay Paroline, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Tricolor coralblenny sourced
Scientific name
Ecsenius tricolor
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Tricolor coralblenny; Derawan combtooth-blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) 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)
10.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines 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 Ecsenius

More from the family Blenniidae

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