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Orangethroat pikeblenny (Chaenopsis alepidota) — Chaenopsidae

Orangethroat pikeblenny

Chaenopsis alepidota
Family: Chaenopsidae
LC · Least Concern

The Orangethroat pikeblenny (Chaenopsis alepidota) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaenopsidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–11.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific; sandy areas with abandoned tube-worm tubes.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The orangethroat pikeblenny is an elongate bottom fish of the family Chaenopsidae from the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a thin, eel-like body with a pointed, pike-like head and a large mouth; males have an orange throat they display in courtship and territorial disputes. It inhabits sandy areas, living in abandoned tube-worm tubes with only the head protruding. As an ambush predator it seizes passing small invertebrates and small fishes. Owing to its hidden habits it is little noticed. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Orangethroat pikeblenny?

The Orangethroat pikeblenny has a snake-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Lives in abandoned tubeworm tubes with only the head protruding; males with an erectile orange throat.

Where does the Orangethroat pikeblenny live?

The Orangethroat pikeblenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific; sandy areas with abandoned tube-worm tubes.

How big does the Orangethroat pikeblenny get?

The Orangethroat pikeblenny grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Orangethroat pikeblenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Orangethroat pikeblenny is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Orangethroat pikeblenny edible?

The Orangethroat pikeblenny is not usually eaten.

More photos

Orangethroat pikeblenny (Chaenopsis alepidota) — Chaenopsidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Frank Krasovec, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Orangethroat pikeblenny (Chaenopsis alepidota) — Chaenopsidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Douglas Klug, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Orangethroat pikeblenny (Chaenopsis alepidota) — Chaenopsidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Jonathan Williams, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Orangethroat pikeblenny (Chaenopsis alepidota) — Chaenopsidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — David Starr Jordan (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Orangethroat pikeblenny verified
Scientific name
Chaenopsis alepidota
Family
Chaenopsidae
Other names
Orangethroat pikeblenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
11.0 verified
Natural range
Eastern Pacific; sandy areas with abandoned tube-worm tubes. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates and small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Lives in abandoned tubeworm tubes with only the head protruding; males with an erectile orange throat. 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
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Chaenopsis

More from the family Chaenopsidae

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