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• +/- cirri: nostrils and eyes; head often rough
• 1 dorsal fin
• dorsal and anal finsbases long
• no scales
• no ll

TUBE-BLENNIES, BARNACLE-BLENNIES, PIKE-BLENNIES, SIGNAL-BLENNIES, WORM-BLENNIES

Distintive features of tube blennies include the lack of scales; the absence of a lateral line; usually small conical teeth; at least half as many soft rays as spines in the dorsal fin, which has XVII-XXVIII, 10-38 rays; and all fin rays are unbranched; cirri present or absent over nostrils, present or absent over the eye, but absent on nape; head often spiny or rough.

The tube blennies are small, fishes that are common in shallow seas throughout the region and in the western Atlantic. They are one of the few families that are confined to the tropical and subtropical Americas. The family contains 13 genera and approximately 82 species; 33 species (all endemics) and 10 genera (three endemics) are known from the tropical eastern Pacific.

Their common name is derived from the interesting habit of seeking permanent shelter in the unoccupied shells of barnacles or in tubes of certain worms and molluscs. Most species are inhabitants of rocky reefs or coral areas, although members of Chaenopsis and Emblemaria are associated with rubble or sandy bottoms. They feed mainly on zooplankton including copepods, isopods, and amphipods. They also consume barnacle cirri. Marked sexual dimorphism is present in most species. Males are usually brighter colored and often have better developed supraorbital cirri, longer jaws, and higher dorsal fins.

They seem to be most closely related to and possibly derived from the Weed Blennies (family Labrisomidae). Although very tiny, these fishes are a favourite subject of underwater photographers. Prior to spawning the males periodically emerge from their refuge and display to nearby females. In species of Chaenopsis and Emblemaria this display is very spectacular and consists of thrusting the fully erect, sail-like dorsal fin far forward. The male nuptial display is further enhanced by dramatic changes in fin and body coloration. Once attracted to the males lair, the female deposits her eggs. The nest is subsequently guarded by the male for several days until hatching.

References

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