Western jumping blenny facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Western jumping blenny |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Tripterygium marmoratum W. J. Macleay, 1878 |
The western jumping blenny (its scientific name is Lepidoblennius marmoratus) is a cool type of fish. It belongs to a group of fish called triplefin blennies. This fish was first officially described by a scientist named William John Macleay way back in 1878.
Contents
What It Looks Like
The western jumping blenny has a body that is a bit flat on the sides. Its face, or snout, is steep, and its head has no scales. The fish is usually greyish to greenish-grey in color. Its belly is a lighter shade.
You can spot some interesting patterns on its body:
- Dark lines run down its head.
- Small dark spots form lines on its back fin, tail fin, and pectoral fins (the fins on its sides).
- It also has irregular blotches, like smudges, along its sides.
This fish can grow up to about 11.4 centimeters (about 4.5 inches) long.
How It's Different from Other Blennies
The western jumping blenny is similar to another fish called the eastern jumping blenny. However, there are a few ways to tell them apart:
- The western blenny has a deep cut between the last spine of its first back fin and the first spine of its second back fin.
- It also has two spines in its anal fin (the fin on its underside), while the eastern blenny has none.
Where It Lives
The western jumping blenny is found only in Australia. This means it is endemic to Australia. It lives along the west and south coasts.
You can find it from about 32 degrees south in Western Australia all the way to Kangaroo Island off South Australia. The furthest north it has been found is in the Swan River.
Its Home and How It Lives
The western jumping blenny likes to live in tidal pools. These are pools of water left behind on the beach when the tide goes out. It also lives in rocky areas both above and below the water.
This fish prefers places where there are rocks covered in algae (a type of plant-like organism). It usually lives in water that is very shallow, from the surface down to about 3 meters (10 feet) deep.
One cool thing about the western jumping blenny is that it is often seen out of the water! But don't worry, it can easily jump back into the water by flicking its tail.
Its Name and History
The western jumping blenny was first described by William John Macleay in 1878. He found it near King George Sound in Western Australia.
Let's break down its scientific name:
- The first part, Lepidoblennius, means "scaled blenny."
- The second part, marmoratus, comes from a Latin word meaning "marbled." This refers to its yellowish color with dark blotches, which looks a bit like marble.
