Blennies
These fishes belong in the "Order Perciformes" and "Suborder Blennioidei" where they are members of the "Family Blenniidae" which contains 53 genera and about 350 species. The following genera contain an assortment of interesting, yet sometimes not valid species for home aquaria, and range from those normally seen in the trade to those that may show up in the future.
These are mostly bottom-dwelling fishes and fun to watch, and can be kept in the reef or fish-only aquarium. Most lack a swimbladder or have a very small one, and have a slimy body instead of scales. Some are quite colorful, peaceful, hardy, and generally inexpensive. Others have venomous fangs and prey on small invertebrates and other fishes. Many have their teeth in their lips and use them for scraping algae from the surface of rocks. These are called 'Combtooth' blennies.
All will fiercely defend their territory, yet I have never seen the loser in territorial battles to really be the worse for wear. Many of those of interest are herbivores, making them highly desirable in closed systems where certain types of algae may be unwanted.
These blennies are skin and fin nippers, and if anything, should be maintained with the knowledge they can be devastating to other fish in the aquarium. They have a small swim bladder, which is used mainly for briefly mingling with unsuspecting targets while they take aim!
These blennies are an excellent herbivore yet won't pass up a small tasty crustacean.
The members of this genus are called "Eyelash" Blennies because they have a collar of cilia running around their neck. They are basically an algae consuming species, and sometimes called "Combtooth Blennies" because they have about 100 fine teeth embedded in their lips, not their jaw. They utilized their lips to scrape the algae off rocks and even the sides of the aquarium.
This is the largest genus of blennies, with at least 46 identified species. Also the most popular genus as many are colorful and quite interesting. They are basically an algae consuming species, and sometimes called "Combtooth Blennies" because they have about 100 fine teeth embedded in their lips, not their jaw. They utilize their lips similar to kissing Gouramies and scrape the algae off rocks and even the sides of the aquarium.
These Lyretail members use their fangs mainly for defense, otherwise they are fairly peaceful. In fact, they have a poison gland at the base of their fangs, which is bad news for those that are bitten! They also have fully developed swim bladders, making them capable to swim and hunt in the open water.
Even though hobbyists generally see only one species from this genus, there are two species, with possibly two additional subspecies. The most well-known species is O. atlanticus, however, it is thought there is a subspecies O. a. macclurei that is found in the Caribbean, with what should be termed O. a. atlanticus being found only in the Azores, Cape Verde, St. Paul's Rocks, Brazil, Trindade Island, Sao Tome, Ascension Island, and Saint Helena areas. Also, the Pacific species, O. steindachneri has a subspecies called O. s. clippertonensis found only at Clipperton Island (Springer. 1962). For all practical purposes, they all look similar, yet no photos of the subspecies exists that I know of.
These blennies have a small swim bladder. Even though they have fangs, they are used for defense, not aggression. Yet, they may bite the hand that feeds them - caution is advised if you handle them.
These blennies are not what I would call a community fish! They are better left in the wild as they nip flesh from other unsuspecting fish. They have a small swim bladder and lack pelvic fins.
This is a single species family and restricted in distribution to the Western Pacific Ocean. They are goby-like, yet related to blennies as they lack scales, yet have well-developed teeth, and they also lack fin spines and a lateral line. As juveniles, they appear in great numbers along protected areas of drop-offs and are sometimes mistaken for coral catfishes. At night they settle into crevices in the reef. Adults are rarely seen, as they are quite secretive.
These blennies are also Combtooth Blennies. Even though not colorful, they can be fairly effective at controlling unwanted algae.
These blennies are not colorful, yet they can be fairly effective at controlling unwanted algae. Only rarely seen in the trade and shown here mainly for identification purposes.
These blennies are the only blennies having a notched dorsal fin consisting of three sections. They are related to blennies, however, have scales. They generally feed on crustaceans. Males are much more attractive than females. Better left in the wild as they nip flesh from other unsuspecting fish. Rarely available in the trade.
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