Ecsenius midas, known commonly as the Midas blenny, Persian blenny, lyretail blenny or golden blenny, is a species of marine fish in the familyBlenniidae.[2]
The Midas blenny is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific area from the eastern coast of Africa, Red Sea included, to the Marquesan Islands.[2] It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade. The specific name references the Phrygian king Midas who, in Greek mythology turned all he touched into gold, the type was a golden color in life although it is now known that this species is variable in color.[3]
It grows to a size of 13 cm in length.[4][5]
Its normal color is golden orange but it can adapt its color (mimicry) to match the color of the fishes it mixes with.[6] It shows a black spot near the anus. It is often seen in company of the lyretail anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis).[7]
^Christopher Scharpf; Kenneth J. Lazara (26 October 2018). "Order BLENNIIFORMES: Family BLENNIIDAE". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
^Lieske & Myers,Coral reef fishes,Princeton University Press, 2009, ISBN9780691089959
^Kuiter, R.H. and T. Tonozuka, 2001. Pictorial guide to Indonesian reef fishes. Part 2. Fusiliers - Dragonets, Caesionidae - Callionymidae. Zoonetics, Australia. 304–622 p.
^Lieske & Myers,Guide des poissons des récifs coralliens,Delachaux & Niestlé,2009, ISBN9782603016749
^Myers, R.F., 1999. Micronesian reef fishes: a comprehensive guide to the coral reef fishes of Micronesia, 3rd revised and expanded edition. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Guam. 330 p.
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