Striped Blenny
(Chasmodes bosquianus)
-
Animal Type
Fish
-
Exhibits
-
Range
North America
Atlantic Ocean
Overview
Striped blennies are brown fish covered in wavy stripes and spots along the sides of their bodies. Their eyes are located high on the sides of their heads. They live in brackish and salt water and are native to the Chesapeake Bay.
Striped blennies' large pectoral fins help them rest upright on oyster reefs, where they often live and breed. They can also slightly change their coloration to make themselves lighter or darker, helping them hide from predators. When it's breeding season, these fish lay eggs in oyster shells, which the males protect.
Quick Facts
Learn more about striped blennies. Did you know these fish don't have swim bladders? Swim bladders let fish control their buoyancy. Striped blennies are adapted to live on the bottom of bodies of water, so they don't need swim bladders.
They live along the East Coast of the United States from New York to northeastern Florida.
Striped blennies primarily eat smaller fishes, marine worms and small crustaceans.
These fish can grow up to 6 inches long.
Their population is stable.
Larger fish prey on striped blennies.
Explore Exhibit Residents
Learn more about the animals that share an exhibit with this one.