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Yellowfin fringehead (Neoclinus stephensae) — Chaenopsidae

Yellowfin fringehead

Neoclinus stephensae
Family: Chaenopsidae
LC · Least Concern

The Yellowfin fringehead (Neoclinus stephensae) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaenopsidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–27.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The yellowfin fringehead is a small blenny-like fish from the eastern Pacific, ranging from Monterey Bay in California to central Baja California. The species grows to about 10 cm and has an elongate body with a strikingly large mouth and fringe-like head cirri. It lives among rocks and in bays near jetties, often hidden in empty shells and holes, from which it seizes prey. The fish feeds on small invertebrates and is harmless to humans. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yellowfin fringehead?

The Yellowfin fringehead has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Yellowfin fringehead live?

The Yellowfin fringehead lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Yellowfin fringehead get?

The Yellowfin fringehead grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Yellowfin fringehead dangerous to humans?

No, the Yellowfin fringehead is harmless to humans.

Is the Yellowfin fringehead edible?

The Yellowfin fringehead is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Geelvin-franjekop verified
English name
Yellowfin fringehead verified
Scientific name
Neoclinus stephensae
Family
Chaenopsidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
27.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No 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 Neoclinus

More from the family Chaenopsidae

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