Page 278 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

276 MARINE FISH DIRECTORY

Meiacanthus atrodorsalis Meiacanthus smithi Ophioblennius atlanticus
Forktail Blenny Smith’s Sawtail Blenny Atlantic Fanged Blenny

ORIGINS The coast of East Africa through the Indo- ORIGINS Restricted to northern and western parts of the ORIGINS The Caribbean region, from Florida down to the
Pacific, north to Japan and south to northern Australia. Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa. northern coast of South America.
SIZE 3 in (7.5 cm). SIZE 3 ⁄2 in (9 cm). SIZE 4 ⁄4 in (12 cm).
3
1
DIET Small live foods and algae. DIET Small live foods and algae. DIET Algae plus small live foods.
WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline
(pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024. (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024. (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024.
TEMPERAMENT Not aggressive to unrelated fish. TEMPERAMENT Not aggressive to unrelated fish. TEMPERAMENT Highly territorial.
This blenny is bluish-green on the head and The coloration of these blennies is variable and is
becomes yellowish toward the tail, often with influenced in part by the background. The lips are
some black striping. Its small size makes it look invariably red, as are the edges of the dorsal fin.
harmless, but the Forktail has specialized teeth While the pelvic fins are yellowish, the body
that enable it to inject venom when it bites. Most itself tends to be quite dark. These fish lack
predatory fish recognize the Forktail’s coloration scales on their bodies. The Atlantic Fanged
and tend to leave it alone. Some other species Blenny belongs to a group called the combtooth
mimic this blenny’s appearance in order to gain Streaked caudal fin blennies, so named because their teeth resemble
protection for themselves. Beware: the Forktail’s those of a comb. They establish territories, which
venom is also painful to people. Smith’s Sawtail has a pale grayish-white coloration, they will defend against all fish.
with a pinkish hue on the underparts and a
prominent black stripe running along the top of
the body down to the eye. The sawtail effect is
produced by the darker markings in the caudal fin.
As with other Meiacanthus species, Smith’s Sawtail
has a functional swim bladder, so it can control its
buoyancy effectively. This blenny is therefore quite
active by nature, but it still prefers not to venture
far from the security of its rocky habitat.

Salarias fasciatus
TESTING THE WATER
Jeweled Rockskipper A combination of mottled light and brown bands
running down the sides of the body help to break One of the characteristics of many blennies,
ORIGINS From East Africa throughout the Indo-Pacific up the Jeweled Rockskipper’s outline. The long including this Orange-Spot Blenny (Blenniella
region, including Australia and Japan. dorsal fin is similarly patterned, while the outer chrysospilos), is the presence of sensory
SIZE 4 in (10 cm). part of the eye has spokelike markings. As their feelers, known as cirri, on the top of the head.
DIET Small live foods and algae. name suggests, Jeweled Rockskippers inhabit the The branched structure of the cirri may help
WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline lower reaches of the aquarium, where they blend these blennies detect local currents, or water
(pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020 –1.024. in well against rockwork. They will dart back movements that may indicate the approach
TEMPERAMENT Not aggressive to unrelated fish. quickly into a nearby crevice if danger threatens. of a predator. Looking much like part of the
coral reef, these feelers probably also help
to disguise the fish when they are at rest.
The shape of the cirri is identical between
members of the same species, but it is not
consistent throughout the group as a whole.

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