Large-banded blenny (Ophioblennius steindachneri)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Blenniiformes · Family: Blenniidae · Genus: Ophioblennius.

Accepted name: Ophioblennius steindachneri · Authority: Jordan & Evermann, 1898 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 273126.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Ophioblennius pinchoti Hildebrand, 1946.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=273126 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Ophioblennius steindachneri. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 18 cm · Common length: 12 cm · Depth range: 0–18 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 12 of 100 · Fishery importance: of no interest · Aquarium trade: commercial.

FishBase notes: Adults prefer the surge zone of unprotected rocky headlands with steep slopes. They wedge themselves in crevices close to shore in shallow water, darting out to defend their territory. Diurnal feeders that graze on algae and sessile invertebrates, using their comb-like incisor teeth to scrape food (Ref. 28023). Oviparous. Eggs are demersal and adhesive (Ref. 205), and are attached to the substrate via a filamentous, adhesive pad or pedestal (Ref. 94114). Larvae are planktonic, often found in shallow, coastal waters (Ref. 94114).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 8300) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Ophioblennius-steindachneri.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

4,629 georeferenced occurrence records for Ophioblennius steindachneri are published through GBIF from 12 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 86 distinct locations from a sample of 3,000 records, omitting 36 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: Ecuador (2,257); Mexico (1,754); Costa Rica (342); Panama (177); Colombia (55).

The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 7987506) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=7987506&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=273126 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Ophioblennius steindachneri Jordan & Evermann, 1898 as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 183308) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/183308/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 7987506) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/7987506/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The large-banded blenny exhibits dark coloration as a juvenile, but develops brownish to olive coloration with lighter markings, as well as a dark spot behind the eye and several broad bands from the head and fading behind the pectoral fins.

Ophioblennius steindachneri is found in the eastern Pacific from the Gulf of California to Peru. Its range encompasses the Revillagigedo Islands, Cocos Island, Malpelo Island and the Galápagos Islands.

The adults of Ophioblennius steindachneri are mainly found in the surge zone of exposed rocky headlands which have steep slopes where they wedge themselves into crevices near the shore in shallow water. They are territorial and will dart out of their hiding place to defend their territory. They feed during the day when they graze on algae and prey on sessile invertebrates by using the incisor teeth, which are similar in shape to combs, to scrape food off the rock. Like all blennies they are oviparous, laying demersal eggs which are adhered to the substrate by a filamentous, adhesive pad or pedestal and their larvae are planktonic which are frequently recorded from shallow waters near the coast.

The specific name honours the Austrian ichthyologist Franz Steindachner (1834-1919) who reported this species as Blennophis webbii in 1879.

Source: Wikipedia: Ophioblennius steindachneri — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophioblennius_steindachneri (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.