The Blenny fish is a drab, smallish, bottom-dwelling fish. The common name “blenny” has been applied to several families of perciform marine, as well as some freshwater fishes sharing the same morphology and behavior.
Table of Contents
Scientific Classification
Animalia
Chordata
Actinopterygii
Perciformes
Blenniidae
Lepidonectes
Escenius Midas
Table Of Content
Table of Contents
Scientific Classification
Animalia
Chordata
Actinopterygii
Perciformes
Blenniidae
Lepidonectes
Escenius Midas
Table of Contents
There are six families termed as “true blennies” which are grouped under the suborder Blennioidie. Members of these families are called blennioid. There are altogether 830 species of these fishes in 130 genera within the suborder. These small sized fishes are found from tropical to cold seas.
Physical Description
Size: Blenny fishes are slim and thin.
Shape: They are of short length ranging between 1-2 inches. The largest blenny fish reaches up to 14 cm.
Fins: They have both dorsal and pelvic fins. The fins are placed near the throat containing one spine along with two to four rays
Color: Females have white, creamy or tan colored body with reddish spots all over the body.
MouthandEyes: This species of fish has relatively large eyes. Their blunt head possess elaborate whisker-like structures called cirri.
Blenny Fish
Habitat
They prefer living in the tropical parts of the Indo-Pacific regions. They are always seen on reef flats, shallow lagoons and on seaward reefs. This species also prefers the estuarine environments where the reef flats and slopes are covered in prolific algae. Their habitat revolves round corals, sand and rubble. Blennies stay close to the surface where the sunlight is strong. Most of them are found at a depth of 450 meters. They usually spend much of their time on the sea floor.
Distribution
Their distribution range extends from Hawaii to Polynesia through Melanesia and Micronesia. Blenny fishes are found in large proportion in Indian Ocean as well as in Pacific Ocean.
They are also native to English Channel, the Baltic Sea, and the White Sea.
Diet
While some are herbivorous, many of them are carnivorous. Mainly they feed on small stony corals. Sometimes it becomes difficult to feed them in aquariums, and in that case it will be better to feed them frozen food like Mysis shrimp, and vitamin-enriched brine shrimp.
Behavior
Blenny fishes have interesting behavioral characteristics:
They are bottom dwellers
Blennies perch on top of the coral heads and stones
When in danger, blenny fishes darts down into the coral for protection
Blenny fishes are non-aggressive
They usually have picky eating habits
Predators
These small fishes are often attacked by fishes of large size, especially by sharks, Bluefish and weakfish. To stay away from the predators, blenny fish perch on the top of the coral stones and hide themselves.
Blenny Fish Photo
Mating Season
Not much is known of their mating season but it is said that winter is the best time for their mating.
Reproduction
Blenny fishes display elaborate courtship behavior. During the breeding season, male blenny becomes darker with contrasting pale lips. When a female blenny enters the territory, he erects his fin and rocks from side to side nodding his head to attract their attention. Female blenny fish lay eggs and the males fertilize those eggs. Male blennies guard them as they develop, until they hatch and when they are young.
Life cycle
Younger blennies take a little time to do everything on their own, but they are a very fast learners. Male blennies take care of the younger ones and save them from the predators.
Life span
They are a short-living species. Their life span is 2-4 years. Those living in captivity can live a little longer, up to 3-5 years.
