Reef margin blenny
Entomacrodus striatus
Valid name (FishBase; confirmed in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes and WoRMS, October 2026).
- English
- Reef margin blenny
- Scientific
- Entomacrodus striatus
- Dhivehi
- ހަލުވި ވެންފުންނަHaluvi venfunna
- Group
- Reef fish
- Maximum size
- Up to about 11 cm (total length) (FishBase); MRS 1997 gives max. 9 cm
- Depth and habitat
- Coral reefs and reef-associated habitats, recorded from 0 to 3 m
- IUCN status
- LC · Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC), assessed 2009
Description
A small, whitish blenny covered in tiny irregular black spots that may cluster into larger blotches, with a dark mark behind the eye. It lives in the intertidal zone of lagoons and wave-swept reefs, grazing algae and backing into small holes in the reef rock when threatened. It can breathe air for short periods.
In the Maldives
Dhivehi Wikipedia (MRS-derived) gives haluvi venfunna, a descriptive name coined in MRS (1997).
Sources
- fishbase.se /summary/Entomacrodus-striatus.html
- fao.org /4/AD471E/AD471E00.htm
- dv.wikipedia.org /wiki/ހަލުވި_ވެންފުންނަ
- inaturalist.org /observations/340606179
Dhivehi name source: M.R.S. (1997) Fishes of the Maldives (FAO/BOBP MAG/21) gives 'Haluvi venfunna' (Latin form). Thaana from the Dhivehi Wikipedia article 'ހަލުވި ވެންފުންނަ' (derived from the MRS 1997 Dhivehi edition); it matches the Latin form. FishBase also lists 'Digu-funna', 'Kattu' under India (Minicoy/Lakshadweep Mahl dialect); not used. FLAG: the source states no traditional name was recorded and this descriptive name was coined for the book; it is not an established fishermen's name.