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Onespot fringehead (Neoclinus uninotatus) — Chaenopsidae

Onespot fringehead

Neoclinus uninotatus
Family: Chaenopsidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Onespot fringehead (Neoclinus uninotatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaenopsidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 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
Range
Eastern Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The onespot fringehead is a blenny relative from the eastern Pacific, along California and Baja California. The species grows to about 25 cm and has an elongate body, a large head with fringe-like appendages above the eyes and a very wide, hugely gaping mouth. As a bottom-dweller it occupies empty shells, bottles, holes and tubes and defends them fiercely with gaping jaws. It hunts small prey from its shelter. The fish is harmless to humans and has not been evaluated by the IUCN (NE).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Onespot fringehead?

The Onespot fringehead has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Fringes above the eyes and a huge gaping mouth; defends its shelter fiercely

Where does the Onespot fringehead live?

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

How big does the Onespot fringehead get?

The Onespot fringehead grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Onespot fringehead dangerous to humans?

No, the Onespot fringehead 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 Onespot fringehead edible?

The Onespot fringehead is not usually eaten.

More photos

Onespot fringehead (Neoclinus uninotatus) — Chaenopsidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Yinan Li, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Onespot fringehead (Neoclinus uninotatus) — Chaenopsidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Vince Golder, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Onespot fringehead (Neoclinus uninotatus) — Chaenopsidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Jerry Kirkhart from Los Osos, Calif. (CC BY 2.0)
Onespot fringehead (Neoclinus uninotatus) — Chaenopsidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Marco Mazza, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Onespot fringehead verified
Scientific name
Neoclinus uninotatus
Family
Chaenopsidae

Appearance

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates and small fishes inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
levensduur_max_jaar
7.0 verified
Seasonality
Shelter-defending fringehead; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Fringes above the eyes and a huge gaping mouth; defends its shelter fiercely sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. 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 Neoclinus

More from the family Chaenopsidae

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