Cocos Barnacle Blenny

This species is distinguished by the following characters: 1-2 pairs of large iridescent blue spots on the upper lip; relatively small body size; 2 common pores (sensory pores between the mandibular and preopercular series); a closed wedge of spines on the posterior part of the frontal; 2 rows of interorbital spines, the outer one continuous; D XXII-XXV,11-14 (35-37 total dorsal-fin elements; A II,23-26 (Ref. 81029).

Oviparous (Ref. 56066). Males guard the eggs until they hatch (Ref. 56066).

Dorsal spines (total): 225; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 14; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 23 - 26; Vertebrae: 40 - 43

A small benthic reef fish which is common in shallow water, but also occurs to depths of at least 31 meters (Ref. 81029). Oviparous (Ref. 56066). Eggs are attached to the walls of the parent's shelter and are brooded by the male parent (Ref. 56066).

The Cocos barnacle blenny (Acanthemblemaria strata) is a species of chaenopsid blenny native to the Pacific Ocean waters around Cocos Island, Costa Rica. This species reaches a standard length of 3.2 cm (1.3 in).