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Cocos barnacle blenny (Acanthemblemaria atrata) — Chaenopsidae

Cocos barnacle blenny

Acanthemblemaria atrata
Family: Chaenopsidae

The Cocos barnacle blenny (Acanthemblemaria atrata) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaenopsidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–31.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Cocos barnacle blenny is a tiny blenny (Chaenopsidae) from the eastern Pacific, around Cocos Island off Costa Rica. The species grows to only about 3 cm and has an elongate, dark body and a head with fringe-like appendages. It occupies empty barnacle or worm tubes on the reef, from which only the head protrudes, and snaps at small zooplankton drifting past. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cocos barnacle blenny?

The Cocos barnacle blenny has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly black.

Where does the Cocos barnacle blenny live?

The Cocos barnacle blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Cocos barnacle blenny get?

The Cocos barnacle blenny grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Cocos barnacle blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Cocos barnacle blenny is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Cocos-zeepokslijmvis sourced
English name
Cocos barnacle blenny sourced
Scientific name
Acanthemblemaria atrata
Family
Chaenopsidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Black sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
31.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Acanthemblemaria

More from the family Chaenopsidae

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