At Tokyo Sea Life Park, we post "species labels" in each tank that introduce the names and classifications of the creatures. Many visitors use these as a reference to carefully observe the contents of the tanks, but occasionally we hear exclamations like, "What? This fish isn't here?!" when they can't find the fish they were looking for. As animal keeper, I'm a little disappointed when that happens. (Sometimes I have to suddenly call out to them from behind and explain...)

So, this time we'll be focusing on some hard-to-find fish: the blenny and the snake blenny in the "Izu Islands 4" tank in the "Tokyo Sea" area. They're difficult to spot because they don't swim around much and often stay still on the rocks.

Sometimes you'll see them peeking their heads out of holes. Their body color is also very similar to the color of the rocks. However, that doesn't mean they don't move around at all. They are very quick and can escape easily. If a large fish approaches, they will swiftly move to the next rock or something.

Well, it's a rather plain-looking fish. It has a small, brownish body. At first glance, it might be difficult to distinguish between the two species. The one with a round head and cute eyelashes adorning its eyes is the "blennie." These eyelashes are called "dermal flaps" and are modified parts of the body surface.

The "snake blenny" also has a skin flap. It's a rather playful, short nose hair. (More precisely, it's a skin flap from the area called the anterior nostril.) Compared to the sea blenny, it has a pointed mouth and a distinctive triangular dorsal fin.

Both the anemone blenny and the snake blenny have females who lay their eggs in rock crevices, and the males who protect them until they hatch. The tank was only recently renovated and reopened in February 2007, but anemone blenny spawning was already confirmed in April.

There are many fish that don't swim around in the tank, like the blenny and snake blenny we introduced this time. So, if you can't find any fish,

1) Look on top of rocks or in the shadows of rocks.
2) Surprisingly, they can be found right below the acrylic glass or in the corners of the aquarium.
They are often there, so I'll take a look around there too.
3) Ask animal keeper!

You can go up to the second floor in the "Tokyo Sea" area. From here, you can view the upper part of the tank, which is the work area for animal keeper. Please feel free to say hello! We look forward to seeing you!

Photo above: Blenny
Photo below: Snake blenny

[Tokyo Sea Life Park]

(May 18, 2007)