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Blackhead blenny (Emblemariopsis bahamensis) — Chaenopsidae

Blackhead blenny

Emblemariopsis bahamensis
Family: Chaenopsidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Blackhead blenny (Emblemariopsis bahamensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaenopsidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
2.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The blackhead blenny is an extremely small blenny from the western Atlantic, in the Bahamas and the Caribbean. The species grows to only about 3 cm and is largely translucent; breeding males develop a dark head. As a bottom-dweller it occupies empty shells, worm tubes and small holes on coral reefs and from there grabs small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans and has not been evaluated by the IUCN (NE).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackhead blenny?

The Blackhead blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly white and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Blackhead blenny live?

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

How big does the Blackhead blenny get?

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

Is the Blackhead blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackhead blenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Blackhead blenny edible?

The Blackhead blenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartkop-slijmvis verified
English name
Blackhead blenny verified
Scientific name
Emblemariopsis bahamensis
Family
Chaenopsidae
Other names
Blackhead blenny; Smoothhead glass blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Max depth (m)
20.0 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
Yes 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 Emblemariopsis

More from the family Chaenopsidae

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