Pearl Blenny

Entomacrodus nigricans

The Pearl Blenny is a small reef fish known for its pale body adorned with dark brown bands and bright white spots. It features a blunt head and a high forehead, with cirri over its eyes and nape. These fish have slender, comb-like teeth and can grow up to 10 centimeters in length. They are typically found in shallow coastal waters of the western Atlantic, ranging from Bermuda to northern South America, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Pearl Blennies inhabit intertidal areas like tide pools and rocky slopes, often shuttling between rock pools and air. They are diurnal feeders, primarily consuming algae. These fish are capable of surviving out of water for short periods, especially in shaded areas. During breeding, males select crevices or empty shells for nests, where females lay adhesive eggs. Males guard and fan the eggs until they hatch. Divers may encounter Pearl Blennies in shallow waters up to 6 meters deep, where they are often seen darting among rocks and tidal pools. They are harmless and of no interest to fisheries, though they are occasionally found in the aquarium trade. The IUCN lists the Pearl Blenny as Least Concern.