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-112297-RIVZOO-002

Date received: 11/22/97

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 from 12 – 15 cm

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Length of time in captivity – male(yr): since 4/6/97 (date of report 11/22/97)

Size male (mm): 64

Length of time in captivity – female 1 (yr): since 4/6/97 (date of report 11/22/97)

Size female 1 (mm): 51

Duration female 2 (yr): since 4/6/97

Size female 2 (mm): 51

Broodstock notes: Initial quarantine process (while spawning) that included three (3) formalin dips and a one day praziquantel bath.

Physical differences: male has bright blue spot on dorsal fin. Females have pale spot on dorsal fin.

Adult diet: Mostly Mazuri Aquatic Gel® diet once per day; zooplankton every 2 weeks

Pre-spawning activity: Animals were in an off-exhibit; mostly bare fiberglass tank. They were given PVC pipe to hide in after being collected in marsh. Pair almost immediately began laying eggs on pipe.

Time spawning began: evening (?)

Area spawning occurred: on inside surface of 1 ” PVC pipe at elbow (always on elbow)

Frequency of spawning: constantly until 6/27/97, then took a 2 week “break”. Male guards and aerates the eggs constantly.

Egg description: Circular nest 50 – 76 mm in diameter

Approximate quantity: ~ 500

Size: 1.5 – 2 mm

Egg changes / development: Eggs become darker and just before hatching become rather shiney

Incubation period: ~ 4 days

Time hatching occurred: evening

Size of hatching larvae: ~1 mm

Yolk sac present? No

Newly hatched appearance: The larvae are attracted to the light and mostly stay near the surface.

Transfer / removal method: PVC pipe was removed to another tank and replaced with another piece (which eggs were laid on immediately)

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Spawning tank size (liter): 950

Sides of tank covered? Sides and back are solid fiberglass, light blue in color

Lighting & photo period: Overhead fluorescent shop light. 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM, 10′ above tank (~12′ from animals)

Filtration: Bio-tower and one small cannister filter. Instant Ocean® ASW changed 20% weekly

Additives and dosages: see quarantine notes under

Broodstock:

Water temperature (F): 77 (76 – 78)

Specific gravity: 30 ppt

pH: not indicated

Nitrate: not indicated

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Fry development / changes: Fry spend most of the time near the surface for the first 2 months, then begin to settle down in the water column.

First food offered: rotifers (S strain), constantly

Second food offered: Artemia at 6 weeks

Survival 1st week: ~100

2nd week: ~75

3rd week: ~65

4th week: ~40

Development description: metamorphosis occurs at approximately 2 months. Losses evenly distributed over period. Long term survival = 9 (week 10 on)

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Rearing tank size (liter): 2 5 gallon buckets; 10″ diameter

Sides of tank covered? One black, one red

Lighting & photo period: ambient

Filtration: None, daily water changes of 30%. Single airstone.. Moved to 37 liter glass aquarium at week 9. Instant Ocean® ASW (from adult tank)

Additives and dosages: none indicated

Water temperature (F): 76 – 78F

Specific gravity: 30 ppt

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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 hentz) 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