Habitat selection of the coral-dwelling spinyhead blenny, Acanthemblemaria spinosa, at Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean

摘要: The distribution, abundance, and habitat preferences of the spinyhead blenny, Acanthemblemaria spinosa (Perciformes, Blennioidei, Chaenopsidae), were studied on coral reefs along leeward side Curacao, southern Caribbean. blennies inhabited small holes inside coral, which predominantly consisted calcareous tubes constructed by coral-associated serpulid worms species Spirobranchus giganteus. About 50 % fish in dead rest had their live corals eight species. fishes showed a clustered distribution pattern abundance was higher at shallow depths (5 10 m) than 15 m. Although males generally larger body size females needed for shelter guarding eggs, no sexual dominance hole selection found. position varied elevation height above reef floor, positive correlation with size.