Acanthemblemaria Hancocki - Panamic Barnacle Blenny

The Panamic Barnacle Blenny which is also known as the Hancock’s Blenny, generally seen from El Salvador to Panama as well as south to Ecuador. Its color is a mottled black, white and red covering the body and fins. This fish is similar to the Mexican Barnacle Blenny but has a large dark brown to charcoal spot behind its eye. The Panamic Barnacle Blenny also has red lips, a red iris and red on the front of its dorsal fin.

A well-established 10 gallon or larger aquarium with multiple hiding places and plenty of rock is a suitable environment. The Panamic Barnacle Blenny is a very entertaining fish, as they race as fast and furious as they can to snatch food from the water column while trying not to be eaten by the other fish. The body of this fish is seldom seen as they will take up residence in a small crevice in the rocks. They are a very attentive fish constantly watching about the aquarium waiting for a meal to come their way.

The Panamic Barnacle Blenny does best in well-established aquariums with large numbers of crevices in the rocks in which it can hide. The diet should include meaty items such as finely chopped crustacean flesh, vitamin enriched frozen brine and mysis shrimp.