Coralliozetus cardonae Evermann & Marsh, 1899
Twinhorn blenny

Family:  Chaenopsidae (Pike-, tube- and flagblennies)
Max. size:  8.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, CuraƧao, and Colombia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 2-2. Species distinguished by: cirri on eye simple, arising from 2 separate bases; segmented dorsal-fin rays 11; total dorsal-fin elements 29 or 30; pectoral-fin rays usually 13; tip of lower jaw without fleshy projection; top of head never spiny; 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:  Inhabits eroded limestone slopes doted with small brain corals, sea-fans, whips, sea urchins and the like (Ref. 5521).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 October 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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