Zebra rockskipper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Zebra rockskipper |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Synonyms | |
Salarias cypho Jenkins, 1903 |
The Istiblennius zebra, also known as the zebra blenny, is a cool fish found in the Hawaiian Islands. People also call it the zebra rockskipper, rockskipper, jumping jack, or gori. These fish live in tide pools, which are small pools of water left behind on the rocks when the ocean tide goes out.
Contents
About the Zebra Blenny
How They Look
Zebra blennies can look quite different from each other. Their colors can range from a smart blue-black to charcoal gray or brownish, but they always have clear stripes. If they are in shallow water or get scared, their bodies might get speckles. Adult blennies have a line of small, bright blue dots just under their eyes. On their heads, they have a crest, which is like a small fin, and two feelers. Male blennies have longer feelers. These feelers and crest can flatten down when the fish are out of the water.
Size and Growth
Male zebra blennies can grow up to about 19.3 centimeters (7.6 inches) long. Females are a bit smaller, reaching about 14.1 centimeters (5.6 inches) in length.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Zebra blennies lay eggs all year round, but they are most active in the spring and early summer. When it's time to breed, male blennies get light yellow-tan patches on their cheeks. These patches become brighter when they are protecting their space and fade when they leave.
The male builds a nest inside a crack or crevice in the rocks. To attract a female, he performs special vertical loops. The female then lays up to 10,000 eggs, sticking them to the walls of the nest. The male fertilizes these eggs and then guards them until they hatch, which usually takes about two weeks. After hatching, the tiny baby blennies, called larvae, swim out into the open sea for a while. When they are about half an inch long, they return to the tide pools to live.
What They Eat
These fish mainly eat tiny bits of organic debris. This is like small pieces of plants and animals that gather on the rocky surfaces and bottoms of the tide pools where they live.
Where They Live
The zebra blenny is special because it is found only in Hawaii. They live in high tide pools, which are pools that are usually above the high tide line. These fish are amazing at surviving in their rocky homes. They can leap, slide, and even skip up to 2 feet above the water's surface to escape danger or move between pools!
They usually swim using side-to-side movements, keeping their pectoral fins (the ones on their sides) tucked close to their bodies. Sometimes, you might even see them partially out of the water, enjoying the sun!
Zebra Blennies and People
You can sometimes find zebra blennies in the aquarium trade. This means people keep them as pets in home aquariums.
