Votive Panel woven in the form of a Trambollo
Pachacamac-Rimac culture
22" x 10"

Clustering in rocky, shallow places close to land, where it can scoop up mollusks, crustaceans and algae, this fish moves in and out with the tide and would have been caught by hand or spear from bluffs and promontories. Its most distinctive features are detailed here: the prominent spots of the face, the dark outline around the mouth, the long pelvic fin rays positioned in front of the pectoral fins, the paddle-shaped tail. With only the dorsal spines fully rendered, however, the fin configuration is not quite accurate (if this is indeed a trambollo). There may be some overlapping with other closely related species. But elaborate abstract motifs effectively convey its variegated color and patterning. The “X-ray” backbone (a convention originating in shamanic art styles) is usually evident in these images; this may also refer to the often visible row of sense organs running along the fish’s body, used to detect vibrations. As in the case of another type of blenny, popularly known as the borracho, or “drunk,” eating this fish can sometimes produce a strong effect of stupification, sleepiness, and even nightmares, as well as symptoms of gastric poisoning. We should assume that cult priests knew how to exploit this knowledge for shamanic purposes.