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Caribbean blenny (Emblemaria caldwelli) — Chaenopsidae

Caribbean blenny

Emblemaria caldwelli
Family: Chaenopsidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Caribbean blenny (Emblemaria caldwelli) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaenopsidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
2.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Caldwell's blenny is a very small tube blenny from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species reaches only about 3 cm and has an elongate body, a large head and, in males, a tall, sail-like first dorsal fin. It occupies abandoned tube-worm holes and crevices in coral and rock, from which it snatches passing zooplankton with only its head protruding. The fish is harmless to humans and has no commercial value. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Caribbean blenny?

The Caribbean blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Inhabits abandoned tubeworm tubes; male with a sail-like dorsal fin

Where does the Caribbean blenny live?

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

How big does the Caribbean blenny get?

The Caribbean blenny grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Caribbean blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Caribbean 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 Caribbean blenny edible?

The Caribbean blenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Caribbean blenny verified
Scientific name
Emblemaria caldwelli
Family
Chaenopsidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots 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
Natural range
Western Atlantic verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Zooplankton inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Tube-dwelling reef blenny; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Inhabits abandoned tubeworm tubes; male with a sail-like dorsal fin 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 sourced
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 Emblemaria

More from the family Chaenopsidae

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