Panamic Fanged Blenny

Panamic Fanged Blenny, Large-Banded Blenny

Ophioblennius steindachneri

Blenniidae

Unknown 

Up to 18 cm.

It lives between 1 to 20 m (3 to 66 ft) deep near rocks and in coral reefs in tropical waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. It is territorial and will come out of hiding to defend its territory. For reproduction, the females deposit the eggs in sticky protected areas that adhere to the substrate and walls. Males fertilize and guard these eggs until they hatch.

During the day it feeds on algae and sessile crustaceans.

The color changes while growing up from a dark color as a juvenile to olive and brownish as an adult. At the front head has lighter markings with darker spots that are fading behind the pectoral fins. It has a similar-looking brother named “Notchfin Blenny”.

expected to see most of the year