Fish ID help

[Bubs2]

What is this dude. Originally bought him as a lawnmpwer blenny but he eats mysis shrimp and doesn't look like the other blenny I have. Any idea?

 

[melypr1985]

Certainly looks like a blenny, I just can't pinpoint which kind with any accuracy. Sorry

 

[Highgrade]

Definitely a blenny. Closer look it appears to be a starry that is stressed. Thus the darker color.

 

[4FordFamily]

Definitely a blenny. I'd say a combtooth or black sailfin blenny.

X2 although I'm no blenny expert

 

[Highgrade]

X2 although I'm no blenny expert

Edited my response. Due to the spots and whisker appendage looks to be a Starry

 

[Salty1962]

Black Combtooth Blenny.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Black Combtooth Blenny.

^ This. Ecsenius namiyi.

 

[mort]

^ This. Ecsenius namiyi.

I think the colour is stress and it's more like a molly Miller blenny going by the washed out spots on the body. Not seen namiyei with body or dorsal spotting. Would be good to see a pic under less blue.

 

[GHsaltie]

Not a black combtooth blenny, the only patterning they have are blue stripes on the head when stressed or under blue lights. Otherwise solid black. (I have one )

 

[Chasmodes]

I think the colour is stress and it's more like a molly Miller blenny going by the washed out spots on the body. Not seen namiyei with body or dorsal spotting. Would be good to see a pic under less blue.

I agree with this.

Key observations: this fish has cirri on the back of the head (nape of the neck?), head and mouth shapes. Base coloration can change in blennies. Not many blennies have this cirri pattern.

I agree, but maybe not be Scartella cristata (but could be), but most likely in this genus. I guess it depends on where it was collected. The cirri on the back of the head and over the eyes along with the head and mouth shape resembles more closely blennies in the genus Scartella, as well as the head and mouth shapes. What puzzles me are the pelvic fins. Molly millers have very robust pelvic fins, so maybe this is a juvenile or perhaps a different species of Scartella?

Ecsenius blennies don't have cirri on the backs of their heads. Many in genus Salarias do, but the head and mouth shapes don't match this fish. The starry blenny doesn't have cirri on the back of its neck either, and also has a much more elaborate cirri pattern over the eye.

My first thoughts on the genus were Parablennius, Hypsoblennius, Hypleurochilis, or maybe Microlypophrys, but none of the fish in those genera have cirri on the back of their heads.

But hey, I'm nobody, and it's just my opinion Cool fish though, whatever it is!

 

[Chasmodes]

I might add that I kept a molly miller many years ago for a several years, and it was one of the most personable fish that I've ever kept. One of my favorite fish of all time!

 

[Rickyb1982]

does it look like this ?

 

[Moms tank]

What is this dude. Originally bought him as a lawnmpwer blenny but he eats mysis shrimp and doesn't look like the other blenny I have. Any idea?

It looks like the tribal blenny to me

 

[Moms tank]

It looks like the tribal blenny to me

Is it black and looks like blue around its head

 

[Bubs2]

does it look like this ?

Not really.