Home · Chaenopsidae · Orangethroat pikeblenny
Orangethroat pikeblenny (Chaenopsis alepidota) — Chaenopsidae

Orangethroat pikeblenny

Chaenopsis alepidota
Family: Chaenopsidae
LC · Least Concern

The Orangethroat pikeblenny (Chaenopsis alepidota) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaenopsidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–11.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The orangethroat pikeblenny is an elongate bottom fish of the family Chaenopsidae from the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a thin, eel-like body with a pointed, pike-like head and a large mouth; males have an orange throat they display in courtship and territorial disputes. It inhabits sandy areas, living in abandoned tube-worm tubes with only the head protruding. As an ambush predator it seizes passing small invertebrates and small fishes. Owing to its hidden habits it is little noticed. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Orangethroat pikeblenny?

The Orangethroat pikeblenny has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Orangethroat pikeblenny live?

The Orangethroat pikeblenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Orangethroat pikeblenny get?

The Orangethroat pikeblenny grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Orangethroat pikeblenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Orangethroat pikeblenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Orangethroat pikeblenny edible?

The Orangethroat pikeblenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Oranjekeel-snoekslijmvis sourced
English name
Orangethroat pikeblenny verified
Scientific name
Chaenopsis alepidota
Family
Chaenopsidae
Other names
Orangethroat pikeblenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
11.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Chaenopsis

More from the family Chaenopsidae

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