Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) >
Perciformes (Perch-likes) >
Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies) > Blenniinae
Etymology: Omobranchus: Greek, omo = shoulder + Greek, brangchia = gill (Ref. 45335).
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic. Tropical, preferred ?
Africa and Asia: brackish waters of Lake Poelela and Delagoa Bay (South Africa) to India, Sri Lanka, New Guinea and the Philippines. Reported from the Ryukyu Islands (Ref. 559).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 6.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 4404)
Dorsal
spines
(total): 11 - 13;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 20-23;
Anal
spines: 2;
Anal
soft rays: 22 - 26. head without cirri; lower end of gill opening usually opposite 4th or 5th pectoral fin ray; sensory pores in infraorbital an interorbital canals mostly 8 and 3 respectively; lateral line tubes 1 to 4 (Ref. 559). A good diagnostic characteristic is a short diagonal line found just behind the eye (Ref. 44091).
Adults are found in mangrove swamps and river estuaries, but more often in freshwater lakes (Ref. 4404, 58302). Benthic (Ref. 58302). The size and shape of the mouth, the presence of large canine teeth suggest that this fish is probably a predator on small aquatic animals (Ref. 44091). 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).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Oviparous, distinct pairing (Ref. 205).
Springer, V.G., 1986. Blenniidae. p. 742-755. In M.M. Smith and P.C. Heemstra (eds.) Smiths' sea fishes. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. (Ref. 4404)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 115185)
CITES (Ref. 94142)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial
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