Diamond Blenny Juvie?
Posted March 11th, 2012 by islandbarb
Images:
Hi,
Snorkeling north shore St. John and snapped these pics. Looks almost like a diamond blenny, but the head isn't yellow and this fish has another dark spot with neon blue center on rear dorsal fin, which makes me wonder if maybe it's a juvenile. So many fish have these spots when juveniles, then loose them later. The red/orange anal fin is curious also. Taken in about 2 feet of water over a Manatee seagrass bed with sandy, rubble strewn bottom.
Thanks,
Just a snorkeler,
Barb-St. John
Malacoctenus gilli
You were close! It's a Dusky Blenny, Malacoctenus gilli. I have seen the orange anal fin on them before, but beware: the similar Malacoctenus erdmani (no common name) can also have an orange anal fin and rear spot. The difference is M. erdmani is smaller with a square spot and M. gilli has a rounded spot.
I don't have any pictures of the Dusky Blenny but here's two of M. erdmani. Keep your eyes open for these - they should be in your area and in the same habitat.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13979352@N02/4578483117/in/set-72157623208663976/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13979352@N02/4579110880/in/set-72157623208663976/
Louis
I guess I see the
I guess I see the resemblance now, the Reef Set picture doesn't clearly show the spot of the foredorsal fin and the mine looks like it's quite a bit smaller in size and much more colorful. I have a couple other pictures of what I've identified as a Dusky Blenny, but I can't figure out how to post one into a reply message. Any hints on that?
Barb
I've never been able to add
I've never been able to add photos in a reply, but I don't think anyone would mind if you posted them in a new topic.
Yes, the photo in Reef Fish shows a large, dull adult - Some of them are much brighter.