ANIMAL SPECIES:Lance Blenny, Aspidontus dussumieri (Valenciennes, 1836)
Despite having a large fang on either side of the lower jaw the Lance Blenny seems to eat primarily algae and detritus.
Identification
The Lance Blenny is white with a dark stripe from the eye to the caudal fin.
It has an elongate body with a long-based dorsal fin. The mouth is positioned ventrally below the rounded snout. There is a large fang on either side of the lower jaw.
The Lance Blenny looks similar to the False Cleanerfish but can be distinguished by snout shape and the colour of the stripe on the head behind the eye. The Lance Blenny has a rounded snout with a plain brown stripe behind the eye. False Cleanerfish have a pointed snout and a bluish stripe usually with dark margins.
Size range
The species grows to 12cm in length.Distribution
It occurs in throughout the Indo-Pacific.
In Australia it is known from the central to north-western coasts of Western Australia and from the northern coast of Queensland to central New South Wales.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Lance Blenny specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
The species lives in tropical marine waters.
Behaviour and adaptations
Feeding and Diet
Limited data suggests that the species eats primarily algae and detritus.
Classification
- Species:
- dussumieri
- Genus:
- Aspidontus
- Family:
- Blenniidae
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- Allen, G.R., Steene, R. & M. Allen. 1998. A Guide to Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes. Odyssey Publishing/Tropical Reef Research. Pp. 250.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
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