Sphyraenidae, Blenniidae, & Gobiidae

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Family Sphyraenidae

• Barracudas• Common species:

o Great Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda)

o Northern Sennet (Sphyraena borealis)

o Guaguanche (Sphyraena guachancho)

Sphyraenidae, Blenniidae, & Gobiidae

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Sphyraenidae Characteristics

• Elongated pike-like bodies, superior jaws

• Traits:

Sphyraenidae, Blenniidae, & Gobiidae

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Sphyraenids

Guaguanche

Sphyraenidae, Blenniidae, & Gobiidae

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Great Barracuda

• Apex predators • Can reach 6ft. and

have been known to attack diverso Attacks may be due

to reflective metal on divers

Sphyraenidae, Blenniidae, & Gobiidae

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Family Uranoscopidae

• Southern stargazero Astroscopus y-

graecum

• Northern stargazero Astroscopus guttatus

Southern stargazer buried in the sand

Uranoscopidae Characteristics

• Large, cuboidal head

• Mouth strongly oblique

• Breathes through nostrils

• Eyes can protrude a short distance

• Can create electrical currents

• 50 volts

• Some species attract prey using small vermiform filament on floor of mouth

Sphyraenidae, Blenniidae, & Gobiidae

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North vs. South

Sphyraenidae, Blenniidae, & Gobiidae

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Southern

Northern

Sphyraenidae, Blenniidae, & Gobiidae

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Family Blenniidae

• Blennies• Common species:

o Striped Blenny (Chasmodes bosquianus)

o Crested Blenny (Hypleurochilus geminatus)

o Feather Blenny (Hypsoblennius hentzi)

Sphyraenidae, Blenniidae, & Gobiidae

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Blenniidae Characteristics

• Important on rocky inshore habitats in the tropics and subtropics (benthic)o Also, found in

fouling habitats

Seaweed Blenny

Sphyraenidae, Blenniidae, & Gobiidae

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Combtooth Blennies

Sphyraenidae, Blenniidae, & Gobiidae

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Blennies

• “Combtooth” stems from the numerous closely packed teeth in the jaw

• Blunt heads are topped with cirri o Cirri are chemosensory in nature and used in sex

recognition

Cirri

Sphyraenidae, Blenniidae, & Gobiidae

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Family Gobiidae

• Gobies• Common species:

o Darter Goby (Gobionellus boleosoma)o Clown Goby (Microgobius gulosus)

Sphyraenidae, Blenniidae, & Gobiidae

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Gobiidae Characteristics

• Approximately 1,875 spp., is only slightly smaller than Cyprinidae

• Found worldwide in both fresh and saltwater

• Recognizable by several characteristics:

Gobies have a remarkable ability to adapt to environments inaccessible

to most fishes

Invertebrate BurrowsSponges, Sea Urchins, Hard and soft corals

Mangrove Swamps

Mudskippers

Freshwater on oceanic islands

Mud FlatsSome species have the ability to breathe air and make short walks to other habitats

Longjaw Mudsucker

Sphyraenidae, Blenniidae, & Gobiidae

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Mutualistic Cleaner Specialists

Gobiosoma oceanops

Sphyraenidae, Blenniidae, & Gobiidae

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Did you know?

• Few gobies reach 20 cm., most are <10 cm.

• Record-breaking Fisho Paedocypris progeneticao Family Cyprinidae (carps)

o 7.9 mm!!!