Intriguing Facts About Monkeyface Prickleback Fish

selim12 February 21, 2024 0 Comments

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The monkeyface prickleback Scientifically known as Cebidichthys violaceus by the monkeyface eel belongs to the family prickleback native to the Pacific coast of North America. They are also called Monkeyface eel, blenny eel, and Monkeyface blenny.

Table of Contents

History Of The Fish:

The Monkeyface prickleback was first described by Girard in 1854 when it spawned on the seafloor. It’s described as a black-like eel inhabiting a rocky shore.

Taxonomy:

Belonging to the family Stichaeidae, the Monkeyface Prickleback is classified under the order Perciformes. It shares its family with other species commonly known as pricklebacks or sea chubs.

Monkeyface prickleback Habitat:

They inhabit rocky shores from the surface to a few meters deep the sea level from Bahia San Quintin Bay, northern Baja California, to Netarts-Cape Mears, north Oregon.

Appearance And Size:

They can reach 76 cm in maximum length and a maximum weight of 2.7 kg . They have round snouts, large lips, and two black lines behind the eyes. The color ranges from light brown to dark green.

Diet:

While Juveniles eat crustaceans and zooplankton, as they grow and become adults, they become 100% herbivores eating algae.

Monkeyface Prickleback Behavior And Lifespan:

This fish doesn’t move so much, just traveling 5 meters from their rocky home. The shape and color help them to hide in rocky areas and hideouts. They can also breathe air due to their closeness to the rocky shore and the air within. They can survive out of water for up to 35 hours. They can live for 18 years.

Monkeyface Blenny Reproduction:

The spawning season lasts from February to April with internal fertilization. The female releases 17,500 to 46,000 in mass on rocky surfaces. Guarding the eggs is present by unknown if the female or male does it.

Monkeyface prickleback Predators:

They are really threatened by birds, cabezon, and rockfish who prefer juvenile monkeyface pricklebacks as an easy meal.

Conservation Status:

While not currently listed as endangered, the Monkeyface Prickleback faces threats from habitat degradation, pollution, and overfishing. Conservation efforts are underway to protect its coastal habitats and ensure sustainable fishing practices to maintain healthy populations.

Human Interaction:

The Monkeyface Prickleback holds significance in both commercial and recreational fisheries along the Pacific coast. It is prized for its delicate flavor and is often caught using hook-and-line or traps. Additionally, it holds cultural importance among indigenous coastal communities, who have historically relied on this species for sustenance.