The Barcheek Blenny (Coralliozetus boehlkei) is a small, colorful fish found in tropical marine environments. It is a member of the blenny family, known for its distinctive elongated bodies and often vibrant coloration. Coralliozetus boehlkei is particularly notable for its unique bar-like markings on its cheeks, giving it its common name.
Description & Characteristics
The Barcheek Blenny (Coralliozetus boehlkei) is a small fish, reaching a maximum size of around 5.5 cm (2.2 inches). Its body is elongated and slender, with a slightly compressed profile. The most defining feature is the pair of vertical, dark bars on the cheek that give it its name. The body is generally yellowish-brown in color, often with a series of darker, vertical bands along the flanks. Coralliozetus boehlkei also exhibits a small, pointed head with a protruding lower jaw and prominent eyes. Like many blennies, it possesses a single dorsal fin that extends almost the entire length of its back.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Barcheek Blenny (Coralliozetus boehlkei) prefers shallow, rocky, and coral reef habitats. It is often found in areas with moderate wave action and strong currents. Coralliozetus boehlkei is known to inhabit the tropical waters of the western Atlantic Ocean, specifically around the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. This makes it a common inhabitant of the neritic zone, a marine environment extending from the shoreline out to the edge of the continental shelf.
Taxonomy
The species Coralliozetus boehlkei belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Blenniiformes, and Family: Chaenopsidae. The Teleostei are the most diverse group of fishes, encompassing a vast array of forms and adaptations. The Order Blenniiformes, known as the blennies, includes over 900 species characterized by their elongate bodies, often with fleshy appendages near their heads. The Family Chaenopsidae, commonly referred to as the tube blennies or “blenny-like” fishes, are a group of predominantly reef-dwelling blennies, known for their diverse coloration and often cryptic lifestyles.
Feeding
The Barcheek Blenny (Coralliozetus boehlkei) is an opportunistic feeder, primarily relying on a diet of algae and small invertebrates. It uses its strong jaws and teeth to scrape algae off rocks and coral, and its agility to capture small crustaceans and other invertebrates in its environment.
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