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Eel blenny (Xiphasia setifer) — Blenniidae

Eel blenny

Xiphasia setifer
Family: Blenniidae
LC · Least Concern

The Eel blenny (Xiphasia setifer) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 53 cm.

Length
53 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–1190.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The hairtail blenny is a blenny (Blenniidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has an extremely elongate, eel-like body with a long, low dorsal and anal fin and a pointed tail, unusual for a blenny. It lives on open soft and mud bottoms from shallow bays to deeper water, where it shelters in self-dug burrows. As a small predator it snaps small invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Eel blenny?

The Eel blenny has a snake-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Eel blenny live?

The Eel blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Eel blenny get?

The Eel blenny grows to a maximum of about 53 cm.

Is the Eel blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Eel blenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Eel blenny edible?

The Eel blenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Haarstaart-slijmvis sourced
English name
Eel blenny verified
Scientific name
Xiphasia setifer
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Hair tailed blenny; Hairtail blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
53.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1190.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Blenniidae

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