Cocos Barnacle Blenny: acanthemblemaria atrata
A shy, small fish rarely seen or recorded by divers.
Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Chaenopsidae
Description and Behavior: The Cocos Barnacle Blenny as red snout and lips, and a dark body that varies from black to brown to translucent with bars. It has small blue spots on its head and body, with 1-2 irridescent pairs on its upper lip. They grow to 3.8 centimeters (1.5 inches) and have pointed and blunt spikes under above, and between their eyes, and on their snout and head.
Habitat: The Cocos Barnacle Blenny is endemic to Costa Rica but specifically Cocos Island in the Southeast Pacific. They live in rocks and worm tubes in shallow water in reefs up to depths of 30 meters (100 feet).
Threats: The Cocos Barnacle Blenny is classified as vulnerable. The increased frequency, duration, and strength of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is harming the Cocos Barnacle Blenny. The warmer waters and poor nutrion in the water for extended periods of time is hurting the population, and the small region of residence