---
title: Combtooth blenny (Blenniidae)
scientific_name: Blenniidae
common_name: Combtooth blenny
rank: Family
published: 2024-11-19T18:41:51.573Z
updated: 2026-08-03T20:51:46.834Z
tags: Combtooth blenny, Blenniidae, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny
---

# Combtooth blenny (*Blenniidae*)

## Quick facts

- **Rank:** Family
- **Scientific name:** Blenniidae
- **Body shape:** Bottom-dwelling - Stocky, big-headed, sits on the reef or sand rather than swims - scorpionfishes, groupers, gobies.
- **Species listed here:** 35

## How to recognise this group

- perches on reef or in crevices, often motionless
- prominent, blunt head with large eyes set high
- elongated, somewhat stocky body
- single dorsal fin extending along entire back
- small size, typically under 15 cm

Combtooth blennies (Blenniidae) are small, often benthic fishes found on coral reefs and rocky shores. Most species have a slender, elongated body, typically scale-less, with a prominent, blunt head and large eyes set high. A single, continuous dorsal fin extends along their back. Most species range from 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 in) in length. Their common name refers to the distinctive row of comb-like teeth, which they use to scrape algae and small invertebrates from rock and coral surfaces. Coloration varies widely among species, from mottled browns and tans for camouflage to bright yellows, oranges, and greens.

They inhabit shallow coastal waters and rubble zones, typically from the intertidal zone down to 40 metres (130 ft). Blennies commonly perch motionless on hard substrates or within small crevices. While primarily herbivorous, their diet also includes small invertebrates. Some species are known to mimic other fish in colour and pattern, potentially gaining protection from predators. These blennies are commonly observed across almost all shallow Red Sea habitats.


## Species (35)

- [Aden Blenny (Antennablennius adenensis)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/aden-blenny)
- [Arabian Blenny (Antennablennius hypenetes)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/arabian-blenny)
- [Arabian Fangblenny (Petroscirtes ancylodon)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/arabian-fangblenny)
- [Aron’s Blenny (Ecsenius aroni)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/arons-blenny)
- [Blackline Fangblenny (Meiacanthus nigrolineatus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/blackline-fangblenny)
- [Bluestriped Fangblenny (Plagiotremus rhinorhynchos)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/bluestriped-fangblenny)
- [Bluethroat Blenny (Alloblennius pictus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/bluethroat-blenny)
- [Brown Coral Blenny (Atrosalarias fuscus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/brown-coral-blenny)
- [Bullethead Rockskipper (Blenniella periophthalmus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/bullethead-rockskipper)
- [Chestnut Blenny (Cirripectes castaneus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/chestnut-blenny)
- [Dentex Blenny (Ecsenius dentex)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/dentex-blenny)
- [False Cleanerfish (Aspidontus taeniatus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/false-cleanerfish)
- [Filamentous Blenny (Cirripectes filamentosus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/filamentous-blenny)
- [Fringed Blenny (Mimoblennius cirrosus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/fringed-blenny)
- [Golden Blenny (Ecsenius midas)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/golden-blenny)
- [Highbrow Blenny (Hirculops cornifer)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/highbrow-blenny)
- [Highfin Fangblenny (Petroscirtes mitratus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/highfin-fangblenny)
- [Jewelled Blenny (Salarias fasciatus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/jewelled-blenny)
- [Lance Blenny (Aspidontus dussumieri)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/lance-blenny)
- [Leopard Blenny (Exallias brevis)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/leopard-blenny)
- [Magnus’ Blenny (Alticus magnusi)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/magnus-blenny)
- [Nalolo blenny (Ecsenius nalolo)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/nalolo-blenny)
- [Orangelined Rockskipper (Istiblennius rivulatus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/orangelined-rockskipper)
- [Peters’ Blenny (Enchelyurus petersi)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/peters-blenny)
- [Piano Fangblenny (Plagiotremus tapeinosoma)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/piano-fangblenny)
- [Plain Rockskipper (Istiblennius unicolor)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/plain-rockskipper)
- [Red Sea Mimic Blenny (Ecsenius gravieri)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/red-sea-mimic-blenny)
- [Rippled Rockskipper (Istiblennius edentulus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/rippled-rockskipper)
- [Slender Fangblenny (Adelotremus leptus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/slender-fangblenny)
- [Smoothfin Blenny (Ecsenius frontalis)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/smoothfin-blenny)
- [Snakeblenny (Xiphasia setifer)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/snakeblenny)
- [Spot-Head Blenny (Parablennius cyclops)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/spot-head-blenny)
- [Townsend’s Fangblenny (Plagiotremus townsendi)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/townsends-fangblenny)
- [Yellowtail Rockskipper (Istiblennius flaviumbrinus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/yellowtail-rockskipper)
- [Yellowthroat Blenny (Alloblennius jugularis)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny/yellowthroat-blenny)

---

*Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/combtooth-blenny)*
*Updated: August 3, 2026*