Animalia Life

Xiphasia setifer
FAMILY
Blenniidae
TAXONOMY
Xiphasia setifer Swainson, 1839, Vizagapatam, Philippines.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
Japanese: Unagiginpo; South Africa: Slangblennie; Oman and Micronesia: Snakeblenny.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
May reach lengths of 23.6 in (60 cm). Large fangs in each jaw but not associated with a toxin gland. Body with alternating bands of dark brown and pale brown. Caudal fin with middle two rays very elongate and forming a hairlike filament and dorsal fin originating above the eye and continuing to the caudal fin. Extremely long and slender body.
DISTRIBUTION
Widely distributed from the western Indian Ocean to the western central Pacific.
HABITAT
Usually found in tubes or burrows in mud or sandy bottoms but may be seen swimming above the bottom or at the surface at night while feeding; shelters in tubes or burrows during the day. Specimens have been captured by trawl at 164–177 ft (50–54 m) off western India.
BEHAVIOR
Seldom seen underwater but sometimes attracted to night lights, probably in search of small invertebrates to eat.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Appears to be nocturnal and to forage on small invertebrates.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Not known.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not listed by the IUCN.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.

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