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Barcheek blenny (Coralliozetus boehlkei) — Chaenopsidae

Barcheek blenny

Coralliozetus boehlkei
Family: Chaenopsidae

The Barcheek blenny (Coralliozetus boehlkei) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaenopsidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
2.8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1–15 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Boehlke's barcheek blenny is a very small scaleless blenny (Chaenopsidae) from the eastern Pacific, off Central America. The species grows to about 3 cm and has an elongate, mottled body with fringe-like appendages (cirri) above the eyes. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in empty worm tubes, shells and crevices of shallow rocky and coral reefs and snaps at small passing zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Barcheek blenny?

The Barcheek blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Fringe-like cirri above the eyes; inhabits empty worm tubes

Where does the Barcheek blenny live?

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

How big does the Barcheek blenny get?

The Barcheek blenny grows to a maximum of about 3 cm. On average the species is around 2 cm.

Is the Barcheek blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Barcheek blenny is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Barcheek blenny edible?

The Barcheek blenny is not usually eaten.

More photos

Barcheek blenny (Coralliozetus boehlkei) — Chaenopsidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Alberto Alcalá, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Barcheek blenny (Coralliozetus boehlkei) — Chaenopsidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Matt Muir, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Barcheek blenny (Coralliozetus boehlkei) — Chaenopsidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) zihuadean, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Barcheek blenny (Coralliozetus boehlkei) — Chaenopsidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) pastoracml, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Barcheek blenny sourced
Scientific name
Coralliozetus boehlkei
Family
Chaenopsidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.8 verified
Average length (cm)
1.7 sourced
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1 sourced
Max depth (m)
15 sourced
Natural range
Eastern Pacific sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Crevice-dwelling dwarf blenny; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Fringe-like cirri above the eyes; inhabits empty worm tubes sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. 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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