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Tufted sand blenny (Mccoskerichthys sandae) — Chaenopsidae

Tufted sand blenny

Mccoskerichthys sandae
Family: Chaenopsidae

The Tufted sand blenny (Mccoskerichthys sandae) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaenopsidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–30.0 m
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Costa Rica, Panama

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Description

The tufted sand blenny is a small blenny-like fish (Chaenopsidae) from the eastern Pacific, off Central America. The species grows to about 8 cm and has an elongate body with fringe-like tufts (cirri) on the head. As a bottom-dweller it digs a burrow in sand and rubble bottoms of shallow reefs and snaps at small invertebrates. The male guards the clutch in the burrow. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tufted sand blenny?

The Tufted sand blenny has a snake-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Tufted sand blenny live?

The Tufted sand blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: Costa Rica, Panama

How big does the Tufted sand blenny get?

The Tufted sand blenny grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Tufted sand blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Tufted sand 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

Tufted sand blenny (Mccoskerichthys sandae) — Chaenopsidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) boytoad99, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Tufted sand blenny (Mccoskerichthys sandae) — Chaenopsidae — 3
Uma Mezzanotte (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Tufted sand blenny (Mccoskerichthys sandae) — Chaenopsidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Dan Schofield, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Tufted sand blenny (Mccoskerichthys sandae) — Chaenopsidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Benoît Segerer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Tufted sand blenny sourced
Scientific name
Mccoskerichthys sandae
Family
Chaenopsidae
Other names
Tufted blenny verified

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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Costa Rica, Panama 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

More from the family Chaenopsidae

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