Acanthemblemaria spinosa

Species infomation

Distinctive features:

1. Green iris.
2. Green patch on top of head behind eyes.
3. Front of head snout.
4. Black to brown blotch behind the eye.
5. Males sometimes entirely black.

Physical description:

One pair of nasal and orbital cirri. Orbital cirri lightly branched. Long spines between eyes.

Colouration:

Light brown. Front of head often pale. A green patch on the top of head behind the eyes. Iris green-yellow. White stripe on cheek behind eye bordering a dark brown to black blotch. Rows of dark blotches along the midlfank, upper and lower body.
Males: sometimes nearly entirely black, except for white cheek stripe, pale front of head, green patch on top of head. Blotch behind eye discrete but visible. White spots on head and body.

Size:

Reaches 3.5 cm.

Habitat:

Found on coral or inside worm tubes.