Leaping blenny

Leaping blenny
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Actinopterygii
Order:Perciformes
Family:Blenniidae
Genus:Alticus
Species: A. saliens
Binomial name
Alticus saliens
Synonyms[1]
  • Blennius saliens

The leaping blenny (Alticus saliens), also known as the jumping blenny,[2] is a species of combtooth blenny (family Blenniidae) in the genus Alticus.[3] There is some uncertainty as to whether it was first described by J.R. Forster in 1788[4] or B.G.E. Lacepède in 1800,[5] although Fishbase currently accredits it to Forster.[3] It was originally described as a member of the genus Blennius.

It is a tropical blenny known from the Pacific and Indian oceans, including the Red Sea, the Society Islands, the Ryukyu and Bonin Islands, Queensland, Australia; and the Mariana Islands. Leaping blennies have been recorded at a maximum water depth of 2 metres. They inhabit holes in limestone deposits in intertidal zones, and leap between holes when disturbed, earning them their common name. They are very social at mid-tide, using visual displays to warn off competitors and attract mates. Although they must remain moist to breathe, the blennies are able to breathe air, and avoid submersion by tide waters.[3][6]

Leaping blennies feed primarily off of algae.[7] They are oviparous and form distinct pairs when mating.[8] They can reach a maximum total length of 10 centimetres (4 inches).[3][9]

References

  1. ↑ Synonyms of Alticus saliens at www.fishbase.org.
  2. ↑ Common names for Alticus saliens at www.fishbase.org.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Alticus saliens at www.fishbase.org.
  4. ↑ Forster, J. R., 1788 [ref. 1354] Enchiridion historiae naturali inserviens, quo, termini et delineationes ad avium, piscium, insectorum et plantarum adumbrationes intelligendas et concinnandas, secundum methodum systematis Linnaeani continentur. Hemmerde & Schwetschke, Halae. Enchiridion historiae naturali inserviens: 1-6 + 6 + 1-224 pp.
  5. ↑ Lacepède, B. G. E., 1800 (20 July) [ref. 2709] Histoire naturelle des poissons. Histoire naturelle des poissons (Lacepéde) v. 2: i-lxiv + 1-632, Pls. 1-20.
  6. ↑ "'Landlubber' Fish Leap for Love When Tide Is Right" at http://www.sciencedaily.com.
  7. ↑ Food items reported for Alticus saliens at www.fishbase.org.
  8. ↑ Reproduction summary for Alticus saliens at www.fishbase.org.
  9. ↑ Alticus saliens Archived 2012-08-01 at Archive.is at www.fishwise.co.xa.


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