Saltwater
Black blenny
Ophioblennius atlanticus
Blenniidae, Salariinae
Facts
Characteristics
- Length
- Up to 19 cm
- Body shape
- Streamlined
Care
- Group
- Missing
- Smallest aquarium
- 165 liters
- Diet
- Missing
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Behavior
Water values
Smallest tank
Range
Native
Lives wild in Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, and 24 more countries.
More about the species
Description
Adults are restricted to shallow waters and dwell among rocks and coral reefs, where there is considerable wave action. They bite very severely, with their two very long and sharp canine teeth. Are grazers feeding on filamentous algae and detritus. Larvae feed on plankton; during larval metamorphosis to adult stage, there is no feeding and rely on lipids stored in the liver. Oviparous. Eggs are demersal and adhesive, and are attached to the substrate via a filamentous, adhesive pad or pedestal. Ophioblennius larvae are frequently taken in deep water column. Adult males with fleshy rugosities on anal-fin spines that secrete antimicrobial mucus applied to eggs being guarded.
Other names
Other scientific names
- Blennius atlanticus
- Blennophis webbi
- Blennophis webbii
- Cynoscartes atlanticus
- Ophioblennius atlanticus atlanticus
- Ophioblennius trinitatis
In other languages
- Rødlæbet slimfisk
- Devilfish, Redlip blenny
Articles
All articles
How to add new fish4 min read
From the store to the tank: how to get the fish used to your water, why you should add only a few at a time, and what to watch for in the first few days.
Quarantine for new fish3 min read
Why new fish should live in a tank of their own for a few weeks before they move in, what you need, and what to look for.
From freshwater to saltwater3 min read
What is different in a saltwater aquarium: salt, refractometer, live rock and corals. An introduction for anyone thinking of giving it a try.