Lipophrys pholis (Linnaeus, 1758)
Shanny
Lipophrys pholis
photo by Østergaard, T.

Family:  Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies), subfamily: Salariinae
Max. size:  17 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 10 years
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 8 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: southern Norway to Morocco and Madeira, including the Mediterranean and the Balearics.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18-18; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 18-19. Skin naked and slimy. No tentacles on the head. Dip in the middle of dorsal fin. Variable coloration (Ref. 35388).
Biology:  A resident intertidal species with homing behavior (Ref. 32612) found in shallow waters of rocky coasts. May remain out of water under rocks or seaweeds (Ref. 31184). Mostly active at daytime during high tide. Breathes air when out of water (Ref. 31184). Feeds on small benthic invertebrates, especially gastropods, barnacles and amphipods, and algae (Ref. 31184). Also, diet of crabs, polychaetes, isopods, copepods, limpets, mussels and small molluscs (Ref. 94105). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Eggs measuring 1.5 mm (Ref. 35388) are demersal and adhesive (Ref. 205). Spawning takes place in April - August (Ref. 35388).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 24 March 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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