you win.
Gobys as we reefers know them are from the family
Gobiidae, and blennies are from a completely different taxonomic family
Blennidae. (generally.. there are a few families involved)
So... Blennies are about as close to Gobys as they are to Lionfish - Despite some superficial similarities, they are very different.
Its like saying a seal and a walrus are the same.
Descriptions:
Blennidae:
Scaleless body (lateral line scales modified in few species). Premaxillae not protractile. Usually blunt head. Pelvic fins present in all but 2 species; before pectorals; with 1 short, inconspicuous spine and 2-4 segmented rays. No teeth in palatines; vomerine teeth present or absent. Teeth in jaws comblike, fixed or movable (canine teeth occasionally present). Dorsal spines 3-17, flexible; 9-119 segmented soft rays. Pectoral rays 10-18, unbranched. Caudal fin rays branched or unbranched. Anal spines 2. All with basisphenoid except in Nemophini. Swim bladder usually absent in adults, except in Phenablennius, Omox, and most Nemophini. Vertebrae often 28-44 (135 in Xiphasia). Maximum length about 54 cm; most smaller than 15 cm. Mostly bottom dwelling species feeding on a mixed diet of algae and benthic invertebrates; some are planktivores, and some are specialized to feed on skin or fins of larger fishes, with mimic as cleaner. Males attract gravid females to lay their eggs in a small whole or crevice, or in underneath empty bivalve shells. The eggs are then guarded by the male or by both parents.
Gobiidae:
Pelvic fins fused into an adhesive disc, when well developed. Spinous dorsal present or absent; when present with 2-8 flexible spines and discontinuous with soft dorsal. Cycloid or ctenoid scales almost always present. Prominent head barbels present in some species. To 50 cm maximum length; most species below 10 cm. The largest family of marine fishes (possibly > 2,000). The smallest fishes (and vertebrates) in the world belong to this family. Mostly marine in shallow coastal waters and around coral reefs. Most are cryptic bottom dwelling carnivores of small benthic invertebrates; others are planktivores. Some species have symbiotic relationships with invertebrates (e.g. shrimps) and others are known to remove ecto-parasites from other fishes. Typically nest spawners with non-spherical eggs guarded by the male. Many are popular aquarium fishes. The following subfamilies are recognized: Oxudercinae, Amblyopinae, Sicydiinae, Gobionellinae and Gobiinae.
-Steve
p.s.: descrips from:
http://www.fishbase.org/
[This message has been edited by Steve Richardson (edited 07-10-2000).]
.
