Difference b/t goby & blenny

fishndive · 02/17/2009, 12:03 PM

Hey folks I've been reading up on gobys and blennys, havent really seen anything stating the difference between the two. Are there any differences? Diffs in characteristics, attitude and so forth. I'm assuming they both do the same thing, as far as eating and sifting through the sand and what not.

Whats y'alls in-put?

KarlBob · 02/17/2009, 02:07 PM

First, not all gobies sift sand. Neither do all blennies. Some gobies burrow under the sand, with or without a symbiotic pistol shrimp. Some species of both groups perch on rocks and watch for meals to float by.

Physically, you can distinguish a blenny by its long, continuous dorsal fin and the little "horns", known as cirri, on its head. Gobies generally have two dorsal fins, rather than one long fin, and do not have cirri.

The "scooter blenny" is neither a blenny nor a goby. It's actually a dragonet, and is related to the spotted and psychedelic mandarins.

Savas · 02/17/2009, 03:12 PM

My scooter blenny eats flake food... many sites say they will only eat pods.

fishndive · 02/17/2009, 03:19 PM

Cool thanks guys. Is anyone better than the other or is it just personal pref?

Savas · 02/17/2009, 03:24 PM

My thought is to make sure any fish you buy eats flake or frozen food. I have seen many Mandarins that eat frozen mysis and many that do not. It is all personal preference.

fishndive · 02/17/2009, 03:27 PM

10-4 thanks man

02/17/2009, 12:03 PM	#1
fishndive Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Lower AL Posts: 195	Difference b/t goby & blenny Hey folks I've been reading up on gobys and blennys, havent really seen anything stating the difference between the two. Are there any differences? Diffs in characteristics, attitude and so forth. I'm assuming they both do the same thing, as far as eating and sifting through the sand and what not. Whats y'alls in-put?

02/17/2009, 02:07 PM	#2
KarlBob Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Laveen, AZ Posts: 2,309	First, not all gobies sift sand. Neither do all blennies. Some gobies burrow under the sand, with or without a symbiotic pistol shrimp. Some species of both groups perch on rocks and watch for meals to float by. Physically, you can distinguish a blenny by its long, continuous dorsal fin and the little "horns", known as cirri, on its head. Gobies generally have two dorsal fins, rather than one long fin, and do not have cirri. The "scooter blenny" is neither a blenny nor a goby. It's actually a dragonet, and is related to the spotted and psychedelic mandarins. __________________ Later, KarlBob Current Tank Info: No tanks for now. Starting over in Austin sometime next year.

02/17/2009, 03:12 PM	#3
Savas Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Maryland / St. Thomas once a month Posts: 764	My scooter blenny eats flake food... many sites say they will only eat pods. __________________ If you can get your wife hooked into reef keeping, you can spend all the money you want! Current Tank Info: 24 gallon Aquapod Nanotuners 4.32 T-5 lighting upgrade; 24 gallon Aquapod with stock power compacts and actinic lighting; 12 gallon Aquapod with stock power compacts and actinic lighting.

02/17/2009, 03:24 PM	#5
Savas Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Maryland / St. Thomas once a month Posts: 764	My thought is to make sure any fish you buy eats flake or frozen food. I have seen many Mandarins that eat frozen mysis and many that do not. It is all personal preference. __________________ If you can get your wife hooked into reef keeping, you can spend all the money you want! Current Tank Info: 24 gallon Aquapod Nanotuners 4.32 T-5 lighting upgrade; 24 gallon Aquapod with stock power compacts and actinic lighting; 12 gallon Aquapod with stock power compacts and actinic lighting.

02/17/2009, 03:19 PM	#4
fishndive Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Lower AL Posts: 195	Cool thanks guys. Is anyone better than the other or is it just personal pref?

02/17/2009, 03:27 PM	#6
fishndive Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Lower AL Posts: 195	10-4 thanks man