Leaping Blennies preparing to do what their name suggests

Alticus Blennies are fascinating intertidal fish, but they can be very challenging to identify to the species level. These however, would instantly leap into the air at a close approach (often surprising the person wading past who often didn't even realize that there was anything living on the rock) and thus perfectly matching their name.

comments (4)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Very cool find, Barry!
Have you seen Blue Planet II yet? They feature blennies in an awesome way. Posted 7 years ago

Barry

Lion

Yes, I have - amazing. The episode entitled "The Deep" was just astounding. Who needs science fiction with creatures like this. Posted 7 years ago

Ruth Spigelman

Lion

Fascinating behaviour. This makes for a stunning abstract visual from the natural world. Lovely spotting/shot. Posted 6 years ago
1. Barry
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks, they were amazing and although in years past I might not have paid much attention to small, drably colored, intertidal species like this, since I started following JungleDragon I have been paying much more attention to the less spectacular creatures and have been thrilled with how spectacular they can be if you just stop and take a look. Posted 6 years ago

The Leaping blenny

The leaping blenny, also known as the jumping blenny, is a species of combtooth blenny in the genus "Alticus". There is some uncertainty as to whether it was first described by J.R. Forster in 1788 or B.G.E. Lacepède in 1800, although Fishbase currently accredits it to Forster. It was originally described as a member of the genus "Blennius".

Info 1 0

Similar species: Blennies

Species identified by Barry