Plagiotremus ewaensis

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Plagiotremus ewaensis
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Blenniiformes
Family: Blenniidae
Genus: Plagiotremus
Species:
P. ewaensis
Binomial name
Plagiotremus ewaensis
(Brock, 1948)
Synonyms

Petroscirtes ewaensisBrock, 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]

Contents

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. 1 2 3 4 5 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   978-1-56647-887-8.
  4. 1 2 3 "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. 1 2 "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   978-1-56647-887-8.


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