Hump-headed blenny facts for kids
The hump-headed blenny (scientific name: Blenniella gibbifrons) is a cool little fish that lives in coral reefs. You might also hear it called the bullethead rockskipper or picture rockskipper. These fish are found all over the Pacific and Indian Oceans. They live in warm waters from East Africa all the way to the Hawaiian Islands and other islands like the Line Islands and Ducie Island. They also live north towards Marcus Island.
Quick facts for kids Hump-headed blenny |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Blenniella
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| Species: |
gibbifrons
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Contents
About the Hump-Headed Blenny
Where the Hump-Headed Blenny Lives
Hump-headed blennies love to live in shallow waters close to the shore. They are often found in areas called intertidal reef flats. These are flat parts of the reef that are sometimes covered by water and sometimes exposed when the tide goes out.
They usually live in water that is about 0.5 to 1.5 meters (about 1.5 to 5 feet) deep. The bottom of their home is often covered with a thin layer of algae and sand. These fish stay very close to the bottom, in the water layer right above the seafloor.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Hump-headed blennies reproduce by laying eggs. This means they are oviparous. The female fish lays eggs, and then the eggs and young fish are left to grow on their own.
The eggs are sticky and attach to the bottom of the ocean floor. They have a special thread-like pad that helps them stick. Once the eggs hatch, the baby fish are called larvae. These larvae are planktonic, which means they float and drift with the ocean currents. You can often find them swimming in shallow waters along the coast.
Discovery of the Species
The hump-headed blenny was first officially recorded by two French biologists. Their names were Jean René Constant Quoy and Joseph Paul Gaimard. They described this fish way back in 1824.
