Ian Shaw, Reef Life Survey, Australien
Info
Enneapterygius rufopileus is another very interestingly marked and quite common blenny that lives in shallow tide pools, on rocky shores and in coral reefs covered with algae.
The females of this species are mottled brown with small saddles along the back, their first dorsal fin is distinctly shorter than the second.
The males are reddish, their anterior head area is black.
There are two white bands behind the two posterior dorsal fins, and usually a narrow white or pale bar on the caudal peduncle.
Similar species:
The similar Enneapterygius atrogulare has a comparatively longer first dorsal fin.
The males of numerous other Enneapterygius trifid blennies have black heads, including Enneapterygius. larsonae and Enneapterygius similis.
Synonyms:
Tripterygion rufopileum Waite, 1904
Vauclusella rufopilea (Waite, 1904)
Jumping guard
A jumping guard prevents (nocturnal) fish from jumping out.
Wrasses, blennies, hawkfishs and gobies jump out of an unprotected tank in fright if their night rest is disturbed, unfortunately these jumpers are found dried up in the morning on carpets, glass edges or later behind the tank.
https://www.korallenriff.de/en/article/1925_5_Jump_Protection_Solutions_for_Fish_in_the_Aquarium__5_Net_Covers.html
A small night light also helps, as it provides the fish with a means of orientation in the dark!
The females of this species are mottled brown with small saddles along the back, their first dorsal fin is distinctly shorter than the second.
The males are reddish, their anterior head area is black.
There are two white bands behind the two posterior dorsal fins, and usually a narrow white or pale bar on the caudal peduncle.
Similar species:
The similar Enneapterygius atrogulare has a comparatively longer first dorsal fin.
The males of numerous other Enneapterygius trifid blennies have black heads, including Enneapterygius. larsonae and Enneapterygius similis.
Synonyms:
Tripterygion rufopileum Waite, 1904
Vauclusella rufopilea (Waite, 1904)
Jumping guard
A jumping guard prevents (nocturnal) fish from jumping out.
Wrasses, blennies, hawkfishs and gobies jump out of an unprotected tank in fright if their night rest is disturbed, unfortunately these jumpers are found dried up in the morning on carpets, glass edges or later behind the tank.
https://www.korallenriff.de/en/article/1925_5_Jump_Protection_Solutions_for_Fish_in_the_Aquarium__5_Net_Covers.html
A small night light also helps, as it provides the fish with a means of orientation in the dark!
