The Breeder’s Registry© Information contained in this report is taken from submitted observations from aquarist unless noted otherwise (see comments). Information may be reproduced providing the Breeder’s Registry is cited.

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Breeder ID: HYPHEN-011497-HIGJOE-001

Date received: 1/14/97

Identification: Hypsoblennius hentz (Lesueur 1825)

Geographic origin: Chesapeake Bay, Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico; saltmarshes

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Taxonomy: (after I.C.Z.N.)

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Perciformes

Family: Blenniidae

Genus: Hypsoblennius

Species: hentz (lesueur, 1825)

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Description: The family Blenniidae is the largest family in the suborder Blennioidei commonly called combtooth or scaleless blennies. They are small, shallow-water, bottom dwelling fish. The combtooth blennies are recognizable from other blennioid families by the lack of scales, fewer spiny dorsal fin rays than soft rays and possessing incisor like teeth (hence the name combtooth).

Hypsoblennius hentz have long slender bodies with a blunt snout and “feathery” cirri above the eye (thus the vernacular name Feather blenny). A blue spot is present on the dorsal fin, more brilliant on males and being pale on females. Size has been reported up to 76 mm

Length of time in captivity – male(yr): 1

Size male (mm): 76

Length of time in captivity – female (yr): 1

Size female (mm): 76

Broodstock notes: Maintained in aquaria with juvenile clownfish

Physical differences: none observed

Adult diet: Artemia, table shrimp, flake food. 3 times per day

Pre-spawning activity: One (sex unknown) remained in shell, only coming out to feed

Time spawning began: unknown

Area spawning occurred: inside conch shell

Frequency of spawning: 2 – 3 times weekly

Egg description: not indicated

Approximate quantity: not indicated

Size: ~ 2mm

Egg changes / development: not observed

Incubation period: unknown

Time hatching occurred: evening (after lights out) Eggs would hatch 2 – 3 times a week. Only a few would hatch each time. Continued for several months.

Size of hatching larvae: ~2 mm

Yolk sac present? No

Newly hatched appearance: Attracted to light. Jerky swimming motion

Transfer / removal method: not indicated

Spawning tank size (liter): 75

Sides of tank covered? Yes, black

Lighting & photo period: 2 40 watt Ultralume® fluorescent. 16 hours

Filtration: Central system, Wet/dry

Additives and dosages: none, Instant Ocean ASW 25% monthly

Water temperature (F): 80 (fluctuates 78 – 84)

Specific gravity: 1.021

pH: 8.0

Nitrate: 20 ppm

Fry development / changes: Growth rate very slow. After 2 weeks ~ 3mm. Still pelagic at 2 weeks.

First food offered: rotifers 2 times per day

Second food offered: no change, too small for Artemia nauplii

Survival 1st week(%): 50%

2nd week: 10%

3rd week: 0%

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Rearing tank size (liter): 37

Sides of tank covered? Yes, black

Lighting & photo period: not indicated

Filtration: none

Additives and dosages: none

Water temperature (F): 78

Specific gravity: 1.020

pH: 8.1

Nitrate: none detected

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Comments: Pair continued to spawn for 3 months until female died. Larvae are very small and would probably need to be fed rotifers for 4 – 5 weeks. Slow growth may be due to rotifers not being best first food.

Original description: Lesueur in 1825 described Blennius hentz in the Journal of the Acadamy of Natural Science, Philadelphia, Vol 4 (pt 2) based on specimens collected at Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.A. No types known. Gill in 1861 described this species as Hypsoblemmius hentzi Valid as Hypsoblennius hentz in Vol 13 of the same journal, however it is listed as “an unjustified emendation of Blennius hentz”. It was validated in 1996 by Bath as Hypsoblennius hentz (no I on the end). All listed specimens in collections researched list the species as H. hentzi

Vernacular name: feather blenny

Word origin: The genus Hypsoblennius could be from the Greek root hypso meaning high; or from another form of hyps (meaning high); and o meaning egg; and blenno meaning a kind of fish. The species hentz (or hentzi) appears to be in honor of someone named Hentz.

About this report: Information contained in this report is taken from submitted observations. Taxonomy, Synonomy, Original description , Word origin and Suggested reading are provided by member(s) of The Breeder’s Registry staff. Information is presented under the belief that it is accurate. If you have information in addition to, or contrary to that presented you are encouraged to contact the Breeder’s Registry. Permission is granted for “one-time” personal use. Reproduction as distributed or accessible media is prohibited without prior written permission. All rights reserved. 1997