Home · Chaenopsidae · Dwarf spinyhead blenny
Dwarf spinyhead blenny (Acanthemblemaria paula) — Chaenopsidae

Dwarf spinyhead blenny

Acanthemblemaria paula
Family: Chaenopsidae

The Dwarf spinyhead blenny (Acanthemblemaria paula) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaenopsidae that grows up to 2 cm.

Length
1.8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–2.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The dwarf spinyhead blenny is one of the very smallest reef fishes (Chaenopsidae) from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to only about 2 cm and has an elongate body and a head with spiny knobs. It occupies abandoned worm tubes and bore holes in coral, from which only the head protrudes, and snaps at minute zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dwarf spinyhead blenny?

The Dwarf spinyhead blenny has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Dwarf spinyhead blenny live?

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

How big does the Dwarf spinyhead blenny get?

The Dwarf spinyhead blenny grows to a maximum of about 2 cm.

Is the Dwarf spinyhead blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Dwarf spinyhead blenny is harmless to humans.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dwerg-zeepokslijmvis sourced
English name
Dwarf spinyhead blenny sourced
Scientific name
Acanthemblemaria paula
Family
Chaenopsidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
1.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown 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)
2.0 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

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →