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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🐠 Aquarium 🌡️ Tropical

Persian blenny

Ecsenius midas Starck, 1969
Max Length
13 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
2.6
Depth
2–40 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
24.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Adults inhabit coral reefs , from clear coastal to outer reef walls, usually where currents are moderate . They swim 2 to 3 m above the benthos, feeding on plankton . During the orange-yellow phase, they are observed to school with Pseudanthias squamipinnis which they resemble in color. Individuals of Ecsenius midas can change color quickly from when on the bottom to swimming in open water to match the colors of the fishes they mix with . They also socially mimic their swimming behavior and also of Pseudanthias huchtii and Lepidozygus tapeinosomoa . Reported to feed on zooplankton . 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 . Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 9710.

Scientific Name
Ecsenius midas
Authority
Starck, 1969
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
13 cm
Depth Range
2–40 m
Trophic Level
2.6
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
24.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 13 - 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19 - 21; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 20 - 23. Golden orange in color; black spot around anus; anterior part of dorsal fin with narrow dark margin . Indonesian form grey or greenish to golden-yellow. Tail long in adults .: elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Persian blenny is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous

Oviparous, distinct pairing .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 40 m . Tropical southeast coast of Africa to the Marquesan Islands.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
2.6±0.29
🐠 Schooling
Food Items

zooplankton (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00759 × L3 (TL)
Max TL
13cm
Dorsal Spines
14
Dorsal Rays
20
Anal Spines
2
Anal Rays
22

🌡️ 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
24.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
2.6
Omnivore / Planktivore
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Starck, 1969

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Persian blenny 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 18.1 g
Omega-3 (total) 94 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Persian 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
- - -

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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