Acanthemblemaria maria

Species infomation

Distinctive features:

1. Iris with multicoloured inner ring with bright pink/blue at the back.
2. Long spines protruding from the snout to behind the eyes.
3. Orange batch on top of head behind eye.
4. White cheek stripe starting from under the eye.

Physical description:

One pair of nasal and orbital cirri. Orbital cirri lightly branched. Spines between eyes protruding from the snout to behind the eyes.

Colouration:

Dark brown to black. White stripe across cheek which joins a large white blotch at the base of the pectoral fin. 2 rows of white blotch along the midflank and top of the body separated by a series of large dark blotches. Front of head a pale green and top of head behind eye is orange. Iris has an inner ring which is orange with a bright pink/blue back.

Size:

Reaches 5.2 cm.

Habitat:

Found in holes in limestone slopes