What Is Snake blenny?
Snake Blenny, despite living in the seas for thousands of years, is a species from the Blenniidae family that many people have not heard of. In this article, we will discuss all the features of the snake blenny.
Summary of the Snake Blenny Species
| Other Names: | Palaska Fish |
| Scientific Name: | Ophidion barbatum |
| Diet: | Omnivorous |
| Adult Size: | 30 cm |
| Reproduction: | They lay eggs |
| Breeding Season: | May – September |
| Lifespan: | – |
| Fishing: | No protection |
Characteristics of the Snake Blenny
While the snake blenny belongs to the family Blenniidae, it is not as large as other members. Their size can reach up to 30 cm. They have a slippery and thin body, just like eels.
Snake blennies, which have a relatively small mouth and head, get their name from their smooth, unprotruding, and slippery body.
Their color is mostly in mixed tones close to pink. Even though it’s a small fish, it has sharp and pointed teeth. However, it’s not a dangerous species for humans (still, one should be cautious about its teeth).
They feed on crustaceans, mollusks, and small fishes.
Where Do They Live? How Do They Reproduce?
Snake Blennies are marine fish species that can be found in all waters around the world. In our country (referring to Turkey), they can be found in the Aegean, Mediterranean, Black Sea, and Marmara seas, although they are rarely seen. Their main habitat is the bottom areas at depths of 150-200 meters. However, it is known that they also ascend to shallower areas.
They live in warm and temperate waters. At the bottom of the sea, on the pebbly and sandy areas, they swim by wriggling like snakes. They are one of the species that live their entire lives without migrating.
They reproduce starting from each spring and continue until the end of summer. Between May and September, they lay approximately 18,000 eggs.
Is Snake Blenny Edible? How is it Cooked?
Even though many fishermen release the fish back into the water because they don’t know what it is, yes, the snake blenny is edible and has a tasty flesh.
In our country, it is not consumed because it’s believed to be tasteless. However, it’s known to be consumed as smoked fish in Europe and is a popular fish there.
To prepare it simply and deliciously, you can try the following recipe:
- Clean the fish, then prepare fillets that are each 5 cm wide and 10 cm long, and season them with salt.
- Roll up the prepared fillets and secure them with a skewer.
- Fry them on both sides in a pan with added oil until they take on color.
Bonus information: Snake Blenny and Palaska Fish belong to the same species but are different genders.
How to Catch?
To catch the Snake Blenny, you should use a size 4-5 hook. Since the fish has sharp teeth, it would be prudent to use a steel leader near the hook. You can fish using a 30g float placed about one fathom behind it.
Since it’s not well-known and not preferred as a catch in our country, it has no commercial value.
Kaynak: Fishbase
