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Schmitt's pikeblenny (Chaenopsis schmitti) — Chaenopsidae

Schmitt's pikeblenny

Chaenopsis schmitti
Family: Chaenopsidae

The Schmitt's pikeblenny (Chaenopsis schmitti) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaenopsidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–30.0 m
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Galapagos Is.

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Description

The Schmitt's pikeblenny is a pikeblenny (Chaenopsidae) from shallow reef and seagrass water of the eastern Pacific, off Panama. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a very slender, elongate body with a large mouth and long dorsal and anal fins. It occupies an abandoned worm tube or empty shell, projects only its head and darts out at passing zooplankton; males flare their large mouth in courtship display. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Schmitt's pikeblenny?

The Schmitt's pikeblenny has a snake-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Schmitt's pikeblenny live?

The Schmitt's pikeblenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. South America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Galapagos Is.

How big does the Schmitt's pikeblenny get?

The Schmitt's pikeblenny grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Schmitt's pikeblenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Schmitt's pikeblenny 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

Schmitt's pikeblenny (Chaenopsis schmitti) — Chaenopsidae — 2
Franks, April (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Schmitt's pikeblenny (Chaenopsis schmitti) — Chaenopsidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Billy Bensted-Smith, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Schmitt's pikeblenny (Chaenopsis schmitti) — Chaenopsidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Billy Bensted-Smith, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Schmitt's pikeblenny (Chaenopsis schmitti) — Chaenopsidae — 5
Billy Bensted-Smith (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Schmitt's pikeblenny sourced
Scientific name
Chaenopsis schmitti
Family
Chaenopsidae
Other names
Yellow-mouth pikeblenny sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
South America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Galapagos Is. sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
Yes inferred
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 Chaenopsis

More from the family Chaenopsidae

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