Kingdom Animalia Order Perciformes Genus Salarias Higher classification Salarias | Phylum Chordata Family Blenniidae Scientific name Salarias fasciatus Rank Species | |
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Similar Salarias, Blennies, Ecsenius, Combtooth blenny, Ecsenius bicolor | ||
Salarias fasciatus jewelled blenny
The jewelled blenny, Salarias fasciatus, is a popular marine aquarium fish species in Australasia. Despite being also known as the lawnmower blenny due to its propensity to consume algae growth from rocks and glass, it is principally a detritivore, with plant material making up only 15% of its diet. This species reaches a length of 14 centimetres (5.5 in) TL. The lawnmower blenny is generally regarded as compatible with most other marine fish species and as a group with other lawnmower blennies.
Contents
- Salarias fasciatus jewelled blenny
- jewelled blenny salarias fasciatus
- Description
- Distribution
- Habitat
- References
The lawnmower blenny blends in with its surroundings, changing color to hide itself from predators. It stays mostly on the ocean or aquarium floor or on any rock or corals.
jewelled blenny salarias fasciatus
Description
A small fish, with maximum recorded size of about 14cm. Body depth about 3.7 to 4.2 in length, head small, branched supraorbital and nuchal cirri. Lip margins smooth. No notch in dorsal fin, dorsal and anal fins attached to base of caudal fin by a membrane. Adult males have elongated anterior rays on the anal fin. Colour variable. Usually olive to brown with dark bars and a large number of round or elongated white spots of different sizes. There are usually dark longitudinal lines on the front part of the body, and small bright blue spots with dark outlines along the rear part of the body.
Distribution
East Africa and the Red Sea to Samoa and the Islands of Micronesia
Habitat
Usually seen on shallow reef flats with heavy algal cover.
