Ringed blenny

Starksia hassi

Moves among anemone tentacles without stings

Tropical
Southern Hemisphere
Regional distribution
Marine fish
Atlantic Ocean
Central America and the Caribbean
South America
Small
Tropical fish

Starksia hassi, the ringed blenny, is a species of labrisomid blenny native to the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It is and inhabitant of coral reefs and can be found at depths of from 6 to 175 m (20 to 574 ft). This species can reach a length of 4 cm (1.6 in) TL. Starksia hassi can easily move within and below an sea anemone without being stung by its tentacles, and uses this property for self-defense.

Class: Teleosts
Order: Blennies and Allies
Family: Labrisomidae
Genus: Starksia
Maximum length: 4 cm
Water: Marine
Distribution: Western Central Atlantic: Bahamas and the Greater Antilles to northern South America. Also St. Johns, Virgin Islands (Ref. 50108 ).
Conservation status: LCLeast Concern

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