Acanthemblemaria stephensi

Species infomation

Distinctive features:

1. Light pinkish-red lips.
2. Red iris.
3. Blue-white spots on head.
4. Males with red on front of head.
5. Males with red eye and nasal cirri.
6. Males with front of dorsal red.
7. Males with a dark bluish head.

Physical description:

One pair of nasal and orbital cirri. Orbital cirri unbranched.

Colouration:

Greyish with a blue hue. Blue-white spots on head and body. Red iris. Lips a light pinkish-red bordered by a solid dark red. Top of head with a darker grey blotch. Reddish hue on the belly. Red blotches along midflank and upper body.
Males: dark bluish head with the front of head red. Pinkish-red lips. Both cirri reddish. Front of dorsal fin red with a black blotch at start.

Size:

Reaches 5.0 cm.

Habitat:

Found in empty barnacles and worm tubes in rocky reefs.