Plagiotremus ewaensis

Plagiotremus ewaensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Blenniiformes
Family: Blenniidae
Genus: Plagiotremus
Species:
P. ewaensis
Binomial name
Plagiotremus ewaensis
(Brock, 1948)
Synonyms

Petroscirtes ewaensis Brock, 1948

Plagiotremus ewaensis, the Ewa blenny, Ewa fangblenny or the blue-stripe blenny, is a reef fish belonging to the Blenniidae family. This species of combtooth blenny can be found in coral reefs and is an endemic species to the Hawaiian Islands.[2]

Description

This species is orange or reddish-brown in color, with blue and black stripes along the length of their body.[3] They can grow up to about 4 in (100 mm).[4] The Ewa fang blenny gets its name from their sharp fangs.[3] They have fangs which they use to bite off flesh from their food sources and defending themselves from predators.[3][5] If they get eaten, the fang blenny will bite the inside of their predator’s mouth until the predator allows them to escape.[3] The Ewa fang blenny is a carnivore, wandering the reef to feed on scales, skin, and mucus from bigger fish.[4][3] This species is a secondary consumer, which means that they also feed on predators, like sharks.[4][6]

Distribution and habitat

The Ewa fang blenny is an endemic species that currently exists in the Hawaiian Islands. [7] This species resides in the reef in sea depths of 4 to 55 meters and temperatures ranging from 76.82 °F - 80.24 °F (or 24.9°C - 26.8°C). [7] The fang blenny will make use of empty worm snail holes in the reef as protection when predators try to attack.[8]

References

  1. ^ Williams, J.T. (2014). "Plagiotremus ewaensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T48342097A48358195. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T48342097A48358195.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Plagiotremus ewaensis". FishBase. February 2013 version.
  3. ^ a b c d e Hoover, John P. (2010). The Ultimate Guide to Hawaiian Reef Fishes: Sea Turtles, Dolphins, Whales, and Seals. Mutual Publishing Company (published October 31, 2010). ISBN 978-1566478878.
  4. ^ a b c "Plagiotremus ewaensis Ewa Blenny, Blue-stripe Blenny, Ewa Fang Blenny". www.reeflex.net. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
  5. ^ "Ewa Fangblenny, Plagiotremus ewaensis". www.marinelifephotography.com. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  6. ^ Sandin, Stuart A.; Williams, Ivor (2010-08-25). "Trophic Classifications of Reef Fishes from the Tropical U.S. Pacific (Version 1.0)". Trophic Classifications of Reef Fishes from the Tropical U.S. Pacific (Version 1.0).
  7. ^ a b "Plagiotremus ewaensis Ewa Blenny, Blue-stripe Blenny, Ewa Fang Blenny". www.reeflex.net. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
  8. ^ Hoover, John P. (2010). The Ultimate Guide to Hawaiian Reef Fishes: Sea Turtles, Dolphins, Whales, and Seals. Mutual Publishing Company (published October 31, 2010). ISBN 978-1566478878.


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