Animal Species:Blackback Snake Blenny, Ophiclinus gracilis Waite, 1906

The Blackback Snake Blenny is a small, cryptic species that occurs in shallow rubbly areas of Australian temperate coastal waters.

Blackback Snake Blenny, Ophiclinus gracilis

Blackback Snake Blenny, Ophiclinus gracilis
Mark McGrouther © Australian Museum

Alternative Name/s

Dark Backed Snake Blenny

Identification

This small species is white to yellowish with a dark band along the sides of the body.  Pale blotches appear posteriorly.  The caudal fin is dark with a pale margin.

Size range

11 cm

Distribution

It is an Australian endemic species.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Ophiclinus gracilis

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Blackback Snake Blenny specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Classification

Species:
gracilis
Genus:
Ophiclinus
Family:
Clinidae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Gomon, M.F., Bray, D. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 2008. The Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Reed New Holland. Pp. 928.
  2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags Ophiclinus gracilis, Blackback Snake Blenny, Clinidae, fishes, ichthyology, 10 cm - 30 cm, long and skinny, brown, white, stripe, marine, coastal, rubble, yellow,