H aw aiian F is h e s 341 



The body of this fish is darker above than beneath, is speckled on 

 the sides, and is covered with projecting papillae. It reaches a length of 

 about four inches. 



This fish is known only from the Hawaiian Islands and was taken 

 in Pailolo Channel between 122 and 143 fathoms. 



THE BLENNY FAMILY 



123 Family Blenniidae 



The family of the blennies includes a very large number of species 

 ranging in length from two inches to two feet in the case of the giant 

 kelp fish of California. They are widely distributed from the tropics 

 through the temperate regions to the arctic zone and nearly all live along 

 the shorelines. A few inhabit the fresh water lakes of Italy. They all 

 have elongated bodies, with many dorsal spines and some have serrated 

 teeth which are set loosely in the jaw. The tropical forms differ from the 

 arctic forms by having fewer vertebrae. They are interesting looking 

 fishes although they are all dark in color. 



In habits the blennies are most unusual. They are botli carnivorous 

 and herbivorous and give birth to their young alive (viviparous). Most 

 of them live in rock pools or near shore. One group of blennies called 

 the rock skippers are interesting. They live in the rock pools of the 

 tropics, where they leap from rock to rock when disturbed. 



Of more than 500 species in this family, fourteen are known from 

 the Hawaiian Islands. , 



Blenny 



123-1 Enneapterygitis hemimelas (Kner & Steindachner ) 



From Jordan b Evermann 



This blenny is marked on the side of its body with six pairs of dark, 

 closely set, vertical bars. It reaches a length of one and one-half inches 

 and is common in holes in coral rocks. 



