Home · Chaenopsidae · Hancock's blenny
Hancock's blenny (Acanthemblemaria hancocki) — Chaenopsidae

Hancock's blenny

Acanthemblemaria hancocki
Family: Chaenopsidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Hancock's blenny (Acanthemblemaria hancocki) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaenopsidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–5.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Hancock's blenny is a small blenny from the eastern Pacific, ranging from the Gulf of California to Panama and the Galapagos. The species grows to about 5 cm and has an elongate body and a large head with fringe-like appendages. It occupies empty shell and worm tubes or barnacles on the reef and, from that shelter, holds its head out to snatch drifting zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans and has not been evaluated by the IUCN (NE).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hancock's blenny?

The Hancock's blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Hancock's blenny live?

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

How big does the Hancock's blenny get?

The Hancock's blenny grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Hancock's blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Hancock's blenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Hancock's blenny edible?

The Hancock's blenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Hancocks kokerblenny verified
English name
Hancock's blenny verified
Scientific name
Acanthemblemaria hancocki
Family
Chaenopsidae
Other names
Hancock's barnacle blenny sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

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 Acanthemblemaria

More from the family Chaenopsidae

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