Feather Blenny
Hyspoblennius hentz
Physical: The Feather Blenny is approximately 3 to 4 inches. It has a continuous dorsal fin and its pectoral fins are nearly all black in color with brown spots all over its body. It also has close, fine set teeth. It does not have as thin a physique as most fish its size as it mostly dwells at the base of shallow water, needing less aerodynamic adaptation.
Habitat: H. hentz ranges from New Jersey to the Yucatan. It is also a year round resident to the Chesapeake Bay and near grassy beds and rocky shores.
Feeding: Blennies prefer to eat small crustaceans and mollusks.
Breeding: Spawning occurs from May to August. Males entice females to lay eggs in empty oyster shells and then guard the eggs after they are laid. There are approximately 3,500-4,000 eggs per batch with planktonic larvae often found in shallow, coastal waters.
