Animal Profiles
Fish

Blenny

Blenniiformes

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Blennies include many small fishes living close to the bottom. This account follows the jewelled blenny, a mottled reef inhabitant that scrapes algae from hard surfaces.

Jewelled blenny (Salarias fasciatus) photographed in an aquarium.

Jewelled blenny (Salarias fasciatus) photographed in an aquarium.

Dirk Godlinski · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Salarias fasciatus is the representative described here. Its Indo-Pacific range extends from the Red Sea and East Africa towards Pacific islands. It occupies shallow reef flats, lagoons and algae-rich rubble.
Habitat
Coral reef, Coast
Diet
Herbivore
Food
The fish scrapes algae from rocks and other surfaces.

Classification

Common name
Blenny
Browse group
Fish
Scientific name or taxon
Blenniiformes

Three things to know

  • It scrapes algae from surfaces.
  • Its eggs stick to the substrate.
  • Larvae spend time in the plankton.

Habitat and range

Salarias fasciatus is the representative described here. Its Indo-Pacific range extends from the Red Sea and East Africa towards Pacific islands. It occupies shallow reef flats, lagoons and algae-rich rubble.

Appearance and adaptations

An elongated body carries pale spots, dark streaks and dusky bands. Its mottled pattern fits the mixed rock and coral surroundings. This account concerns one blenny species rather than the whole order.

Diet and behaviour

The fish scrapes algae from rocks and other surfaces. Adults often occur singly. Eggs adhere to the bottom, while larvae enter the plankton before settling into shallow habitats.

Sources

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