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Twohorn blenny (Protemblemaria bicirrus) — Chaenopsidae

Twohorn blenny

Protemblemaria bicirrus
Family: Chaenopsidae

The Twohorn blenny (Protemblemaria bicirrus) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaenopsidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–15.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Mexico, Peru

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Description

The twohorn blenny is a tube blenny (Chaenopsidae) from shallow reef and rocky water of the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a very slender, scaleless body with a pointed head, a pair of cirri above the eyes and a long, spiny dorsal fin. As a bottom-dweller it lives in an abandoned worm tube or empty snail shell, from which only its head protrudes, and snaps at passing zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Twohorn blenny?

The Twohorn blenny has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Twohorn blenny live?

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

How big does the Twohorn blenny get?

The Twohorn blenny grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Twohorn blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Twohorn 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

Twohorn blenny (Protemblemaria bicirrus) — Chaenopsidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) fernando0c, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Twohorn blenny (Protemblemaria bicirrus) — Chaenopsidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Álvaro San José Elizundia, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Twohorn blenny (Protemblemaria bicirrus) — Chaenopsidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) fernando0c, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Twohorn blenny (Protemblemaria bicirrus) — Chaenopsidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) mbranfireun, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Twohorn blenny sourced
Scientific name
Protemblemaria bicirrus
Family
Chaenopsidae
Other names
Warthead blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown 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)
15.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Mexico, Peru 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 Protemblemaria

More from the family Chaenopsidae

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