Chaenopsis stephensi Robins & Randall, 1965

Family:  Chaenopsidae (Pike-, tube- and flagblennies)
Max. size:  4.6 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range - 4 m
Distribution:  Western Central Atlantic: known only from Venezuela and Yucatán, Mexico.
Diagnosis:  Anal spines: 2-2. Species distinguished by: Side of body with 6 dark blotches; dorsal fin consisting of spines and segmented rays; total dorsal-fin elements 44 or 45. Common amongst Chaenopsids: small elongate fishes; largest species about 12 cm SL, most under 5 cm SL. Head usually with cirri or fleshy flaps on anterior nostrils, eyes, and sometimes laterally on nape; gill membranes continuous with each other across posteroventral surface of head. Each jaw with canine-like or incisor-like teeth anteriorly; teeth usually also present on vomer and often on palatines (roof of mouth). Dorsal-fin spines flexible, usually outnumbering the segmented soft rays (numbering 7 to 37), spinous and segmented-rayed portions forming a single, continuous fin; 2 flexible spines in anal fin; pelvic fins inserted anterior to position of pectoral fins, with 1 spine not visible externally and only 2 or 3 segmented (soft) rays; all fin rays, including caudal-fin rays, unbranched (simple). Lateral line absent. Scales absent (Ref.52855).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 18 October 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.