Sailfin Blenny?

GeorgeAmos · 05-22-2002, 11:44 PM

We recently got a really cool fish at the LFS. He called it a Sailfin Blenny, but didn't know the scientific name, nor did his supplier. The LFS and my husband and I have searched all our books and this little guy is nowhere to be found. Burgess didn't even list him. I promise I'll get a digital camera someday, but until I can post a picture, here is his description: about an inch long, mottled black and white coloring, hangs out in top of rockwork in tank, and is a lightening fast swimmer. One of the coolest fish I've ever encountered. He will always get his food and if he were bigger he would make a yellow tang seem docile torward other tank mates. He is not real active, accept at feeding time and has already started begging when I walk up to the tank. Any ideas would be appreciated about who this guy is, not that it matters - he knows who he is

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

OodleyBoodely · 05-22-2002, 11:50 PM

Possibly a Lawnmower blenny, Salarius Fasciatus? I've seen them, or, a related species listed as Sailfins.

Doug1 · 05-22-2002, 11:56 PM

Look anything like this? its a bad pic

sorry
http://www.ffexpress.com/setfish.htm

GeorgeAmos · 05-23-2002, 12:06 AM

Tahnks for the quick replies. Its not a lawnmower, too small, and not the same coloring. His top fin is bigger than him when he puts it up; much like a sailfin tang looks when his fin is up.

Tried to link the FFish picture but only got the general fish descriptions, but he's not listed there either.

Like I said my LFS (who really is good and knows his hobby) is having a hard time identifying him. But people please keep posting ideas, maybe we'll hit an id sooner or later.

Spanky · 05-23-2002, 07:51 AM

George, the Atlantic Sailfin Blenny is Emblemaria pandionis.

HTH
Jerel

Doug1 · 05-23-2002, 09:11 AM

Darn I dont know why that didn't link to the blennies picture, but if you select blenny from the list theres a black sailfin at the top of the list, click on it to see the pic

Doug1 · 05-23-2002, 09:18 AM

Heres a link I found courtesy of NOAA
http://www.sefsc.noaa.gov/Other%20Re...g/emb_pand.htm

Alice · 05-23-2002, 11:22 AM

It seems this fish is a hard one to photograph but this is the fish that our shop sells as the black sailfin blenny:

Cirripectes stigmaticus

Look familiar? Your description sounds just like this little guy. BTW, they will fight pretty fiercely amongst themselves unless you are lucky enough to get a pair.

Alice

OodleyBoodely · 05-23-2002, 05:51 PM

That's a cool-lookin' fish! I haven't seen them before!

Rothie · 05-23-2002, 06:16 PM

Here is another link
http://www.pbs.org/oceanrealm/seadwe...rs/blenny.html

GeorgeAmos · 05-24-2002, 02:00 AM

Thanks everybody, but no dice. The closest picture was yours, Rothie, His coloring resembles Doug's post but his fin is more like the picture in Rothie's link. He is most definitely facinating to watch. And I was thinking about it today, that even with a camera, I don't think I could get a picture, because he is so blame fast. I may try with my regular camera. and see what comes up. If I get a good picture I'll try a post (my photo store will develop on CD). May take a few days (or weeks)

so please don't give up the ID hunt.