Speckled Blenny

Diagnosis: The strong modal fin-ray count of D-XXIII,15 sA-24 P-13 with 38 total dorsal-fin elements indicates Acanthemblemaria betinensis, endemic to Panama, Colombia, and Costa Rica. Unlike most other chaenopsids, A. betinensis frequently have 6 procurrent caudal-fin rays. Ekemblemaria nigra is also endemic to the Panama region and has the same number of total dorsal-fin elements, but with only XXI spines, as well as 13 pectoral-fin rays and 4 procurrent caudal-fin rays. A rare A. maria would have 15 dorsal-fin soft rays (and an uncommon A. betinensis would share 14 rays with A. maria) and rarely A. betinensis would overlap 22 dorsal-fin spines with A. aspera (note that many of the latter have only 12 segmented caudal-fin rays). Several Emblemaria overlap the lowest range of fin-ray counts for A. betinenesis. (DNA) Description: bet n7529b140

Species distinguished by: large, eye-diameter sized dark blotch on side of head posterior to eye; dorsal fin consisting of spines and segmented rays; total dorsal-fin elements 29 to 40; two or more rows of teeth on each palatine bone; top of head often spiny; patch of cranial spines on nape ends anterior to supratemporal commissural pore; inner rim of posterior infraorbital bone smooth; supraorbital cirrus moderately to strongly branched, cranial spines not short and blunt. 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).

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

Anal spines: 2

Oviparous (Ref. 56066). Eggs are attached to the walls of the parent's shelter and are brooded by the male parent (Ref. 56066).

The speckled blenny (Acanthemblemaria betinensis) is a species of chaenopsid blenny found in coral reefs in the western Caribbean, from Puerto Limón to Colombia.