Home · Blenniidae · Vermiculated rockskipper
Vermiculated rockskipper (Entomacrodus vermiculatus) — Blenniidae

Vermiculated rockskipper

Entomacrodus vermiculatus
Family: Blenniidae

The Vermiculated rockskipper (Entomacrodus vermiculatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–2.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Christmas I., India, Indonesia, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles and others

Want the complete picture on the Vermiculated rockskipper?

Get the app

Description

The Vermiculated rockskipper is a combtooth blenny (Blenniidae) from the surf and tidal zone of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a scaleless, brown-marbled body with a blunt head, high-set eyes and cirri above the eyes. With a mouth full of comb-like teeth it rasps algae from wet rocks; at low tide it stays active in splash pools and skips over the rock. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Vermiculated rockskipper?

The Vermiculated rockskipper has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Vermiculated rockskipper live?

The Vermiculated rockskipper lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Christmas I., India, Indonesia, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles and others

How big does the Vermiculated rockskipper get?

The Vermiculated rockskipper grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Vermiculated rockskipper dangerous to humans?

No, the Vermiculated 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.

More photos

Vermiculated rockskipper (Entomacrodus vermiculatus) — Blenniidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Srichakra Pranav Tamarapalli, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Vermiculated rockskipper (Entomacrodus vermiculatus) — Blenniidae — 3
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Vermiculated rockskipper (Entomacrodus vermiculatus) — Blenniidae — 4
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Vermiculated rockskipper (Entomacrodus vermiculatus) — Blenniidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) motalec, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Vermiculated rockskipper?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Vermiculated rockskipper is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Vermiculated rockskipper sourced
Scientific name
Entomacrodus vermiculatus
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Vermiculated Rockskipper; Vermiculated blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled 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)
2.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Christmas I., India, Indonesia, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles and others 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
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. 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 Entomacrodus

More from the family Blenniidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Vermiculated rockskipper?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Vermiculated rockskipper is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Vermiculated rockskipper? Get the app