Hairy Blenny
Labrisomus nuchipinnis
Hairy Blenny (Labrisomus nuchipinnis) is a small, bottom-dwelling blenny of shallow tropical western Atlantic reefs and rocky shores. It often sits motionless on algae or rubble, relying on camouflage and a large, alert head with cirri.
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Identification points
- Brown to mottled body with irregular dark blotches for camouflage
- Very large head with fleshy cirri above the eyes and on the nape
- Long continuous dorsal fin with a front spiny section typical of blennies
Habitat
Shallow coral and rocky reefs, rubble fields, seagrass edges, tide pools, mangrove roots, and algal cover in warm coastal waters of the western Atlantic and Caribbean.
Bait notes
Small live shrimp, bits of crab, and cut mollusk or fish flesh work well. Tiny soft plastics, micro-jigs, and small baited hooks fished near the bottom can also tempt it, but it is not a major sport species.
Behavior
A cryptic sit-and-wait predator that darts out to eat small crustaceans and tiny fishes. It stays close to cover, is most active around structure, and can be territorial when nesting or guarding a shelter.
Caution
Spiny dorsal rays can prick fingers when handling. As a small reef fish, do not eat from ciguatera-prone areas, and check local regulations because reef-associated species may have harvest restrictions.
Fishing notes
Use light tackle and small hooks around reef edges, rocks, pilings, and mangrove roots. Present baits very close to cover with minimal movement; a slow hop or dead-sticked bait often outperforms fast retrieves.