Fringehead in a plastic tube.

Scripps Canyon, La Jolla, California |

M. Kjaergaard, Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2.5
Species In-Depth
At the Aquarium
Our sarcastic fringeheads share a habitat with sand dollars and brittle stars in the Redondo Canyon exhibit in the Southern
California/Baja Gallery.
Geographic Distribution
San Francisco Bay south to Cedros Island, Baja California, Mexico
Habitat
These fish are found along open coastlines on sand or hard mud bottoms, outside the breaker zone in depths of 3-73 m
(10-240 ft). They live in various kinds of shelters, such as empty clam or snail shells, abandoned burrows, and cracks in
clay or rock outcroppings. They also find human trash such as cans and bottles satisfactory as a home worth protecting.
AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC - ONLINE LEARNING CENTER - SPECIES PRINT SHEET
Species Overview
Although usually less than 10 inches long,
sarcastic fringeheads are fearless and
extremely aggressive, charging anything
that approaches their burrows. The
sarcastic part of their common name is
attributed to their temperament and the
fringehead to the distinctive appendages
over their eyes.
Whatever the shelter used, a sarcastic fringehead claims it as its home territory, fiercely defending it against intruders. The
larger the container, the larger the fringehead occupying it.
Physical Characteristics
The body of sarcastic fringeheads is elongate, slender, and moderately compressed. Their long dorsal fin extends from the
rear of the head almost to the rounded caudal fin. Heads are very large, with bluntly rounded snouts and prominent lips.
The huge jaw extends back well past the eye and is larger in males than females. These fish have numerous needle-like
teeth and wavy, fringe-like appendages called cirri over their eyes.
The color of sarcastic fringeheads is usually brown to gray, often with a red tinge and green or pale blotches. Males can be
almost black with the rear of their giant jaw a bright yellow. Usually there are pale spots or patches on the cheeks. The
ocelli (eye-like spots) on the spinous dorsal fin of males are metallic blue, surrounded by a golden ring.
Size
Sarcastic fringeheads can reach 30.5 cm (12 in) long, but most individuals are 7.6-29 cm (3-8 in).
Diet and Feeding
Fringeheads are ambush predators, jumping out from their shelter to surprise prey swimming or moving by, What they eat
in the wild is not known. Closely related fish such as pike-blennies, tubeblennies, and flagblennies are known to feed
primarily on crustaceans. A sarcastic fringeheads needle-sharp teeth probably help it to ensnare slippery, moving prey.
Reproduction
Spawning usually occurs from January to August. A female deposits about 3,000 eggs in clam burrows or under rocks. The
eggs, which are guarded by the male, are 0.9-1.5 mm (0.035-0.06 in) in diameter. Each egg has filaments that are used to
attach the egg both to the nest itself and also to other eggs. On hatching larvae are about 3.0 mm (0.12 in) long.
Behavior
Swimming movements in these small fish are rather complex. Many combinations of fin manipulations are used in their
frequently erratic movements. Their dorsal and anal fins are long and unbroken and are used together with their pectoral
and caudal fins for swimming. Most swimming consists of short, rapid, darting movements, frequently involving quick
changes in direction. Long periods of sustained swimming are not part of this species usual movement pattern.
Instead of entering a hole or burrow head-first; fringeheads frequently back into it, eliminating the need to turn around.
Adaptation
Pugnacious and aggressive, these fish lie in wait in their shelters ready to attack prey or intruders. With only a bizarre-
appearing head protruding from the shelter, an enormous mouth, and needle-like teeth, they are ready to aggressively
defend their territory against all intruders. They are known to attack almost anything (including divers)that appears
anywhere within their range of vision. They show whos boss with an intimidating, animated threat display complete with
body and head flexing, spreading gill covers, and snapping jaws. If the threat does not solve the problem, it is usually
followed by a vicious, gaping-mouth attack on the intruder and a hot pursuit.
Longevity
These fish are believed to live about 6 years.
Conservation
Although a fish of this size would be expected to be subject to larger predators, its ability to protect itself probably minimizes
this danger.
It is unlikely that anyone intentionally fishes for this tiny, pugnacious fish. Sometimes accidentally caught, sport and
commercial fishers are usually not comfortable handling the fish because there is a good chance of being bitten by the
needle-sharp teeth of an angry fringehead unwilling to let go. Divers have reported damage to their wet suits by these
grumpy little fish.
This species is not included on the IUCN Red List.
Amazing Facts
The ocean bottom in Redondo Canyon in southern California is littered with discarded bottles, jars, cans, and similar
containers. Divers have observed that many of these littering items house a sarcastic fringehead.