Acanthemblemaria macrospilus Brock, 1940
Barnacle blenny
photo by Robertson, R.

Family:  Chaenopsidae (Pike-, tube- and flagblennies)
Max. size:  6 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 15 m
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific: southern Baja California to Acapulco in Mexico and the Revillagigedo Islands.
Diagnosis:  This species is distinguished from A. hastingsi in having melanophores on the lower jaws that do not reach all the way to the distal end; it possess a red primary bright head color (vs. orange), and the windowing effect around that color is not present or is less distinct; almost not having melanophores reaching the base of the first dorsal fin and more typically have a dark, round spot or stretched out spot instead of a swath (Ref. 84469).
Biology:  Inhabits empty barnacles and worm or mollusk tubes on rocky reefs. Feeds on zooplankton.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 May 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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