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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🐠 Aquarium 🌡️ Tropical

Red Sea mimic blenny

Ecsenius gravieri Pellegrin, 1906
Max Length
8 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
2
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
16.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Mimics Meiacanthus nigrolineatus . Oviparous. Eggs are demersal and adhesive , and are attached to the substrate via a filamentous, adhesive pad or pedestal . Larvae are planktonic, often found in shallow, coastal waters .

Scientific Name
Ecsenius gravieri
Authority
Pellegrin, 1906
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
8 cm
Trophic Level
2
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
16.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 12 - 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16 - 19; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 18 - 21; Vertebrae: 35 - 37. Dorsal fin typically XIII, 16-19 (rarely 16 or 19), spinous and segmented-ray portions with moderate notch in-between. Anal fin II,18-21 (rarely 18 or 21). Pectoral fin 13-15 (rarely 13, typically 14). Segmented caudal-fin rays 13. Vertebrae 10 or 11 (rarely 10) + 24-26 (rarely 24) = 35-37 (rarely 35). Dentary incisor teeth which includes anterior canine teeth very similar in appearance with incisors, 44-54; posterior dentary canines 0 or 1 (typically 1) on each side. Lateral line lacking pairs of pores, terminating posteriorly at a point between verticals from dorsal-fin spines 8 and 11 (rarely as far anteriorly as 8). With cirrus on posterior rim of anterior nostril; absent on anterior rim. Two color patterns: pale (northern) and dark (southern).: elongated; Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Red Sea mimic blenny is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

algae
aquatic plants
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous

Oviparous, distinct pairing .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated. Tropical Indian Ocean: Red Sea (including the Gulf of Aqaba) to the westernmost Gulf of Aden.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
2

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00759 × L3 (TL)
Max TL
8cm
Dorsal Spines
13
Dorsal Rays
18
Anal Spines
2
Anal Rays
20
Vertebrae
36

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2009

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
16.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
2
Omnivore / Planktivore
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Pellegrin, 1906

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Ecsenius Gravieri is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

⚡ Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 17.8 g
Omega-3 (total) 86 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Red Sea mimic blenny has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact
✓ Sustainable Choice

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

👥 Community & Contribute

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