Hypleurochilus geminatus

Hypleurochilus geminatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Blenniidae
Genus:	Hypleurochilus
Species:	H. geminatus
Binomial name
Hypleurochilus geminatus (W. W. Wood, 1825)

Hypleurochilus geminatus, the crested blenny, is a species of combtooth blenny found in the western Atlantic ocean. This species grows to a length of 10 centimetres (3.9 in) TL.^[1]

Location

The crested blenny, (Hypleurochilus geminatus), is found along the coastal waters of the Northern Gulf of Mexico on up to the Western part of the Atlantic Ocean. The crested blenny is sometimes reef associated in the subtropical climates. They live on hard bottoms such as oyster reefs and rock jetties.

Morphology

The crested blenny (Hypleurochilus geminatus) has a morphology consistent with most Blenniids. It is a small, slender fish with eyes on top of its head and a ventral mouth with a non protractile upper jaw. It also has an elongated body that is laterally compressed with long anal and dorsal fins with spines that are often flexible. The body and fins are dark brown with spots of marbling. The female has square dark blotches and a lighter body. Breeding males develop a brightly colored chin and throat. The crested blenny also has fleshy tabs on its forehead that are called cirri. These cirri are long in males and short in females. They can also have enlarged canine teeth present on both sides of one or both jaws. The crested blenny also lacks scales. Crested blennies use their fine and flexible teeth to pick invertebrates from the substrate. ^[2]

Reproduction

Crested blennies are oviparous and experience district pairing. Their eggs are demersal and adhesive and attach to the substrate with filamentous adhesive pads or pedestals. The larvae are planktonic and are often found in shallow, coastal waters. ^[2]

Conservation

There are no known conservation measures in place for this species.

References