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Scarletfin blenny (Coralliozetus micropes) — Chaenopsidae

Scarletfin blenny

Coralliozetus micropes
Family: Chaenopsidae

The Scarletfin blenny (Coralliozetus micropes) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaenopsidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–3.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Mexico

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Description

The scarletfin blenny is a very small, scaleless blenny (Chaenopsidae) from the eastern Pacific, off Central America. The species grows to about 4 cm and has an elongate, mottled body with fringe-like appendages (cirri) above the eyes; males have a scarlet front dorsal fin. As a bottom-dweller it shelters in empty worm tubes, shells and crevices of shallow rocky reefs and snaps at small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Scarletfin blenny?

The Scarletfin blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly red-orange and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Scarletfin blenny live?

The Scarletfin blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. North America: Mexico

How big does the Scarletfin blenny get?

The Scarletfin blenny grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Scarletfin blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Scarletfin 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

Scarletfin blenny (Coralliozetus micropes) — Chaenopsidae — 2
Siobhan O'Neill (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Scarletfin blenny (Coralliozetus micropes) — Chaenopsidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Siobhan O'Neill, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Scarletfin blenny (Coralliozetus micropes) — Chaenopsidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Siobhan O'Neill, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Scarletfin blenny (Coralliozetus micropes) — Chaenopsidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) thetidepooler, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Scarletfin blenny sourced
Scientific name
Coralliozetus micropes
Family
Chaenopsidae
Other names
Zebraface blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange 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)
3.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Mexico sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
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 Coralliozetus

More from the family Chaenopsidae

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