The Crevice Kelpfish (Gibbonsia Montereyensis) is a species of ray-finned fish, a blenny found from the family. [1] It is found in coastal waters from British Colombia to Baja California . This species inhabits rocky, algae-covered areas on exposed coasts, particularly where seagrass and algal growth are abundant. G. Montereyensis often exhibits coloration that matches its environment. [2]
| Gibbonsia montereyensis | |
|---|---|
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| Crevice kelpfish (G. montereyensis) - California, Channel Islands NMS. | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Blenniiformes |
| Family: | Clinidae |
| Genus: | Gibbonsia |
| Species: | G. montereyensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Gibbonsia montereyensis C. L. Hubbs, 1927 | |
| Synonyms | |
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Taxonomy
The Crevice Kelpfish (Gibbonsia Montereyensis) is a member of the family Clinidae and the genus gibbonsia . There are three recognized members within this genus: G. Montereyensis, G. Elegans, and G. Metzi. [4]
Description
Gibbonsia monteryensis is small marine fish with a maximum length of about 11 cm. [1] This makes them the smallest member of its genus. [1] It has an elongated, laterally compressed body with relatively small pelvic and caudal fins. [1] Their bodies are covered with small cycloid scales. [1] Crevice kelpfish have a continuous dorsal fin, extending from the head to the caudal peduncle. [1] Along their dorsal fins they have 34-36 spines and 5-8 rays. [1] The dorsal spines on their head are relatively long compared to their other spines which give them the appearance having a sort of crest on their heads. [1] Like other kelpfish, G. montereyenesis have fleshy, hairlike tufts above their eyes called cirri. [5] Its anal fin is elongated consisting of 34-36 spines and 5-8 rays. [1] They have pelvic fin spines that are separate from their main pelvic fin and sit slightly in front of the main fin. [1] Their mouths are small and terminal. [1] Crevice kelpfish have small, fixed, conical teeth. [6] One of the few distinguishing features of G. montereyensis that differentiates it from other members of gibbonsia is that they lack scales on their caudal fin. [7] Color variability is high in crevice kelpfish and can include brown, reddish, green dark, and silver. [1] The typical pattern of G. montereyensis is dark vertical bars running down the length of the body, scattered dark spots, and a dark ocellus above the lateral line and behind the pectoral fin. [1] Gibbonsia as a genus are sexually dichromatic, differing in belly color between males and females. [8] Crevice kelpfish are capable of changing colors but there are no definitive studies on the timing and mechanism that allows them to change colors. [5] Similar species such as G. elegans have been seen to be capable of changing their colors over the course of several weeks, likely independent of diet. [8] Their color often varies by season as they are often red in winter when red algae dominates and green in the spring when green algae dominates. [8] G. montereyensis are also susceptible to chromotaforma which is a tumor of pigment cells that develops in their cutaneous layer. [9]
Distribution
Gibbonsia montereyensis range extends along the coastal, Eastern Pacific from British Colombia to Central Baja California . South of Point Conception crevice kelpfish are only found on offshore islands and parts of Baja California where upwelling keeps the water colder. [10] They are only occasionally found in tidepools as they prefer deeper waters compared to other members of the genus gibbonsia. [11] It typically inhabits the intertidal zone to subtidal zone at depths up to 20 meters. [2]
Ecology
Crevice kelpfish spend much of their time anchored onto algae covered rocks using their pectoral spines where they can successfully camouflage using their coloration to camouflage with the algae. [2] They do not have high mobility, and they are a common prey for larger marine predators making their camouflage an important defense. [11] G. montereyensis are benthic, invertebrate feeders and their diet consists of isopods, amphipods, crabs, copepods, shrimps, limpets, mollusks, fish eggs and polychaetes. [5]
Conservation Status
G. montereyensis is a species of Least Concern by the IUCN. [12] However, a study found that Crevice kelpfish will likely be affected by warming ocean temperatures as they prefer colder water. [10] They have some tolerance to warmer waters but not as much as other species within gibbonsia. [10] A study found that they were less adaptable to cold and warmer water than their counterpart Gibbonsia metzi. [10] Heat stress can cause them to die very quickly if the water temperature reaches a level outside of their tolerable range. [10] A new type of parasitic copepod may affect them as it has been found on two other species of gibbonsia, but it is has not been found on G. monteyensis yet. [13]
