Istiblennius zebra
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Blenniiformes
Family: Blenniidae
Genus: Istiblennius
Species:
I. zebra
Binomial name
Istiblennius zebra
(Vaillant & Sauvage, 1875)
Synonyms
  • Salarias zebra Vaillant & Sauvage, 1875

Salarias cypho Jenkins, 1903

Istiblennius zebra, Pāoʻo, the zebra blenny, is a species of combtooth blenny found in tide pools around the Hawaiian Islands. It is also commonly known as the zebra rockskipper, rockskipper, jumping jack or the gori.

Description & Biology

The appearance of these fish can vary, ranging from shades of smart blue-black to charcoal or brownish gray with clear stripes.[2] When in shallow water or when startled, their bodies can become speckled.[2] Adults have a line of small, bright blue dots beneath their eyes.[2] On their heads, there's a crest and two tentacles (with longer tentacles in males), which collapse when they are out of the water.[2] Males of this species can reach a maximum standard length of 19.3 cm (7.6 in), while females can reach a maximum length of 14.1 cm (5.6 in).[3] These fish engage in spawning throughout the year, peaking during the spring and early summer.[2] Breeding males develop light yellow-tan patches on their cheeks that become more vivid when they defend their territory and disappear when they leave. [2]The male constructs a nest in a crevice and performs vertical loops to attract a female.[2] The female attaches up to 10,000 eggs to the walls of the crevice, which the male fertilizes and then guards until they hatch, typically taking about two weeks.[2] The larvae venture into the sea for an unspecified duration before returning to tide pools when they reach approximately half an inch in length. [2] They primarily feed on organic debris that gathers on the rocky surfaces and bottoms of the pools they inhabit. [2]

Distribution & Habitat

The Zebra Blenny is endemic to Hawaii.[4] They can leap, slide, and skip up to 2 feet above the water's surface as a survival mechanism.[2] This intertidal fish's habitat is located in high tidepools.[3] These fish are commonly found in tranquil pools above the high tide line and swim using side-to-side movements with their pectoral fins tucked along their sides.[2] They sometimes come partially out of the water for sunbathing. [2]

Human Use

It can be found in the aquarium trade.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Williams, J.T. (2014). "Istiblennius zebra". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T48342379A48345971. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T48342379A48345971.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Hoover, John P (2008). The Ultimate Guide to Hawaiian Reef Fishes Sea Turtles, Dolphins, Whales, and Seals. Mutual Publishing Company, 2008. ISBN 978-1-56647-887-8.
  3. 1 2 Cox, Traci Erin; Baumgartner, Erin; Philippoff, Joanna; Boyle, Kelly S. (2011-04-01). "Spatial and vertical patterns in the tidepool fish assemblage on the island of O`ahu". Environmental Biology of Fishes. 90 (4): 329–342. doi:10.1007/s10641-010-9744-4. ISSN 1573-5133.
  4. ↑ "Zebra Blenny, Istiblennius zebra". www.marinelifephotography.com. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  5. ↑ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2013). "Istiblennius zebra" in FishBase. February 2013 version.


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