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Wrasse blenny (Hemiemblemaria simulus) — Chaenopsidae

Wrasse blenny

Hemiemblemaria simulus
Family: Chaenopsidae

The Wrasse blenny (Hemiemblemaria simulus) is a fish of the family Chaenopsidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Depth
1–15 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The wrasse blenny is an elongate blenny (Chaenopsidae) from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 10 cm and mimics the colour and swimming style of the juvenile bluehead wrasse, a form of mimicry it uses to approach prey. As a reef-dweller it shelters in empty worm tubes of coral and rocky reefs and snaps at small invertebrates and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Wrasse blenny?

The Wrasse blenny is mainly yellow-gold and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Mimics juvenile bluehead wrasse (mimicry); inhabits worm tubes

Where does the Wrasse blenny live?

The Wrasse blenny is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic

How big does the Wrasse blenny get?

The Wrasse blenny grows to a maximum of about 10 cm. On average the species is around 6 cm.

Is the Wrasse blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Wrasse 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.

Is the Wrasse blenny edible?

The Wrasse blenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Wrasse blenny sourced
Scientific name
Hemiemblemaria simulus
Family
Chaenopsidae

Appearance

Size class
Small
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Average length (cm)
6.0 sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1 sourced
Max depth (m)
15 sourced
Natural range
Western Atlantic sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates and small fishes inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Mimicking reef blenny; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Mimics juvenile bluehead wrasse (mimicry); inhabits worm tubes 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 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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