41 



FAMILY 43. BLENNIES; BLENNIDAE. 



This immense and variable family of fishes is represented with us 

 by thirteen species. They may be recognized by their elongated eel- 

 like form, small ventral fins, which are at times absent, the elongate 

 dorsal fin, and the usually rounded tail fin. Most of the species are of 

 small size and hence the group has little direct economic value. 



The Decorated Blenny, Bryostemma decoratum (Jordan and 

 Snyder), (Pig. 93) is one of the most striking of our local forms. The 

 top of the head is covered with a growth of branching tentacles which 

 suggested the name of the species. No lateral line is present. The 

 ventral fins are well developed and the surface of the body is covered 

 with small scales. The skin is richly mottled. 



The Ornamented Blenny, Bryostemma nugator (Jordan and Wil- 

 liams), (Fig. 94) is closely allied to the preceding species, having the 

 same sort of tufted head, but the coloration is quite different. There 

 is a row of ocellated spots along the middle of the dorsal fin. 



The Chameleon Blenny, Pholis ornatus (G-irard), (Fig. 95) is a 

 worthy recipient of this name on account of its extraordinary range of 

 coloration. It may be red, green, brown or yellow, and various shades 

 in between. The individual blenny does not seem to be able to change 

 its hue as some fishes are known to do. The structural peculiarities 

 of this species are as follows: The lateral line is obsolete and there 

 are two small spines in connection with the anal fin. The ventrals 

 are reduced to a single spine and one ray. The tail fin is well de- 

 veloped, as are the pectorals. The dorsal fin is long and low and is 

 composed of short, stiff spines. It is about one foot long. 



The Variable Blenny, Apodichthys flavidus (Girard), resembles 

 Pholis in its wide range of coloration, varying from green to purple. 

 In this species the ventral fins are lacking and the anal fin is pro- 

 vided with a single stout sheathed spine. A narrow bar of black 

 passes through the eye from the top of the head to the lower part of 

 the cheek. It is about ten inches in length. 



The Amphibious Blenny, Xererpes fucorum (Jordan and Gilbert), 

 resembles Apodichthys but differs in the smaller size of the anal spine 

 and in the reduced size of the pectoral fins. Like the preceding it is 

 extremely variable in color. It is found hiding in masses of sea-weed 

 at low tide and its ability to survive under these conditions has sug- 

 gested the name. 



The Crested Blenny, Anoplarchus atropurpureus (Kittlitz), (Pig. 

 96) can be singled out from its relatives by the presence of a prominent 

 fleshy crest on the top of the head. The body is covered with very 

 small hidden scales. The lateral line is obsolete and the mouth is set 

 obliquely in the head. The dorsal fin is very low. This species is 

 quite variable in color, some specimens being gray, others olive or 



