Spinyhead Blenny
Acanthemblemaria spinosa
The Spinyhead Blenny is a tiny reef-dwelling blenny of the western Atlantic and Caribbean, famous for living head-first in holes and tube-like crevices. It is not a typical angling target and is best observed rather than fished.
Identification points
- Very small blenny with a pointed, spiny-looking head and prominent head cirri
- Body mottled brown to tan with darker bars or speckling that matches reef rubble
- Usually seen protruding only from a small hole or tube, with the rest of the body hidden
Habitat
Shallow coral reefs, rubble, and rocky reef faces with many small holes and crevices; typically occupies abandoned worm tubes or other cavities, with the head protruding from the opening.
Bait notes
Not a practical game species. If collected for aquarium observation, it may take very small live foods such as copepods, enriched baby brine shrimp, and minute mysids; standard fishing baits are ineffective.
Behavior
A sit-and-wait ambush feeder that darts out to grab tiny drifting prey such as plankton and small benthic crustaceans. It is highly site-attached, reclusive, and retreats instantly into its hole when disturbed.
Caution
Do not pry fish from reef holes; it depends on small refuges in coral and rubble. In many places reef organisms are protected or collection is regulated, so check local rules before disturbing habitat.
Fishing notes
Usually not targeted by anglers. Best approached with careful snorkeling or diving observation; avoid handling reef structure, and use very light aquarist collection methods only where legal and permitted.