Antennablennius variopunctatus (Jatzow & Lenz, 1898)

Abstract

Antennablennius variopunctatus, the Orange-dotted blenny, is a species of combtooth blenny found in in coral reefs in the western Indian Ocean. A. variopunctatus is unique to the intertidal area and would be overlooked in conventional reef surveys. Maximum length is 8 cm in Persian Gulf (Iran, Kish Island). There are insufficient algae on the rocks, it is important to feed more frequently and supplement with algae rich food. A. variopunctatus is oviparous, their eggs are demersal and adhesive, and are attached to the substrate via a filamentous, adhesive pad or pedestal. Larvae are planktonic, often found in shallow, coastal waters. A. variopunctatus use the intertidal zone to varying degrees, at different times of tide and/or life cycle. Usage of the intertidal zone can be divided into three main categories: permanent residents - those that spend their entire life history (from juvenile through adult) in the intertidal; temporary (opportunistic/secondary) residents - those that spend only part of their lives in the intertidal (often as juveniles); transients - those that are only occasionally present in low-tide pools (likely trapped by an outgoing tide while foraging). FOOD: Antennablennius variopunctatus feeds microalgae. They food marine and blue-green algae.