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Galapagos barnacle blenny (Acanthemblemaria castroi) — Chaenopsidae

Galapagos barnacle blenny

Acanthemblemaria castroi
Family: Chaenopsidae

The Galapagos barnacle blenny (Acanthemblemaria castroi) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaenopsidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–23.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Galapagos barnacle blenny is a small blenny (Chaenopsidae) endemic to the Galapagos Islands. The species grows to about 6 cm and has an elongate body with fringe-like appendages above the eyes and a mottled pattern. As a bottom-dweller it inhabits empty barnacle shells and worm tubes of shallow rocky reefs, with only the head protruding, and snaps at passing zooplankton. Males defend their hole. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Galapagos barnacle blenny?

The Galapagos barnacle blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Galapagos barnacle blenny live?

The Galapagos barnacle blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Galapagos barnacle blenny get?

The Galapagos barnacle blenny grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Galapagos barnacle blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Galapagos barnacle blenny is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Galapagos-zeepokslijmvis sourced
English name
Galapagos barnacle blenny sourced
Scientific name
Acanthemblemaria castroi
Family
Chaenopsidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
23.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
Yes sourced
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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