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Ekemblemaria nigra (Meek & Hildebrand, 1928) Moth blenny |
| Family: | Chaenopsidae (Pike-, tube- and flagblennies) | |||
| Max. size: | 6.2 cm SL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine | |||
| Distribution: | Western Atlantic: Colombia and Panama (Ref. 26282). | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-18; Anal spines: 2-2. Species distinguished by: head rugose anteriorly; top of head never spiny; tip of lower jaw not projecting beyond tip of upper jaw and without fleshy projection; segmented dorsal-fin rays 11 to 18; total dorsal-fin elements 37 to 39; no stripe or series of dark blotches on head and body; one row of teeth on each palatine bone. 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, 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: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 October 2007 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||