The Leaping Blenny, scientifically known as Alticus saliens, is a fascinating fish species belonging to the family Blenniidae. This blenny is renowned for its unique ability to leap out of the water and move across land, a behavior that gives it its common name.
Description & Characteristics
Alticus saliens is a relatively small fish, reaching a maximum size of 10.0 cm. They possess a slender, elongated body, a slightly flattened head, and a large mouth. Their coloration can vary, but they often exhibit a mottled pattern of browns, greens, and yellows.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Leaping Blenny is a coastal species found in the intertidal zone, typically inhabiting rocky shores and tide pools. They are often observed in the splash zone, a challenging environment where they can tolerate periods of both submersion and exposure to air. Alticus saliens can be found in the Indo-Pacific region, including areas like the Red Sea, East Africa, and the Pacific Islands. This distribution makes them a common sight in the tropical marine zone. They prefer shallow waters, with a depth range of 0.0 – 2.0 meters.
Taxonomy
Alticus saliens belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Blenniiformes, and Family: Blenniidae. This family, known as the blennies, encompasses a wide variety of fish species that share certain anatomical features.
Feeding
Alticus saliens is primarily herbivorous, feeding mainly on algae and aquatic plants. Their diet often includes filamentous algae, diatoms, and other plant matter found in their rocky shore habitat.
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