Home · Chaenopsidae · Galapagos barnacle blenny
Galapagos barnacle blenny (Acanthemblemaria castroi) — Chaenopsidae

Galapagos barnacle blenny

Acanthemblemaria castroi
Family: Chaenopsidae

The Galapagos barnacle blenny (Acanthemblemaria castroi) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaenopsidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–23.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Galapagos Is.

Want the complete picture on the Galapagos barnacle blenny?

Get the app

Description

The Galapagos barnacle blenny is a small blenny (Chaenopsidae) endemic to the Galapagos Islands. The species grows to about 6 cm and has an elongate body with fringe-like appendages above the eyes and a mottled pattern. As a bottom-dweller it inhabits empty barnacle shells and worm tubes of shallow rocky reefs, with only the head protruding, and snaps at passing zooplankton. Males defend their hole. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Galapagos barnacle blenny?

The Galapagos barnacle blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Galapagos barnacle blenny live?

The Galapagos barnacle blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. South America: Galapagos Is.

How big does the Galapagos barnacle blenny get?

The Galapagos barnacle blenny grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Galapagos barnacle blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Galapagos barnacle 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.

More photos

Galapagos barnacle blenny (Acanthemblemaria castroi) — Chaenopsidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Billy Bensted-Smith, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Galapagos barnacle blenny (Acanthemblemaria castroi) — Chaenopsidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Bella McCracken, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Galapagos barnacle blenny (Acanthemblemaria castroi) — Chaenopsidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Bella McCracken, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Galapagos barnacle blenny (Acanthemblemaria castroi) — Chaenopsidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — D Ross Robertson (Public domain)
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Galapagos barnacle blenny?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Galapagos barnacle blenny is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Galapagos barnacle blenny sourced
Scientific name
Acanthemblemaria castroi
Family
Chaenopsidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled 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)
23.0 verified
Natural range
South America: Galapagos Is. sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
Yes sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or 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 Acanthemblemaria

More from the family Chaenopsidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Galapagos barnacle blenny?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Galapagos barnacle blenny is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Galapagos barnacle blenny? Get the app