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Scarletfin blenny (Coralliozetus micropes) — Chaenopsidae

Scarletfin blenny

Coralliozetus micropes
Family: Chaenopsidae

The Scarletfin blenny (Coralliozetus micropes) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaenopsidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–3.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The scarletfin blenny is a very small, scaleless blenny (Chaenopsidae) from the eastern Pacific, off Central America. The species grows to about 4 cm and has an elongate, mottled body with fringe-like appendages (cirri) above the eyes; males have a scarlet front dorsal fin. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in empty worm tubes, shells and crevices of shallow rocky reefs and snaps at small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Scarletfin blenny?

The Scarletfin blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly red-orange and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Scarletfin blenny live?

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

How big does the Scarletfin blenny get?

The Scarletfin blenny grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Scarletfin blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Scarletfin blenny is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Scharlaken wangslijmvis sourced
English name
Scarletfin blenny sourced
Scientific name
Coralliozetus micropes
Family
Chaenopsidae
Other names
Zebraface blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange 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)
3.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced

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 Coralliozetus

More from the family Chaenopsidae

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