Aidablennius sphynx (Valenciennes, 1836)

Taxonomic Classification

The sphinx blenny, scientifically known as Aidablennius sphynx, is a combtooth blenny species, and the only species in the genus Aidablennius.

Original Description

Achille Valenciennes originally described this species in 1836 under the genus Blennius.

Genus Reassignment

In 1947, Gilbert Percy Whitley reassigned it to the new genus Aidablennius.

Geographic Range

This is a subtropical blenny found in Morocco in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, as well as in the Mediterranean and Black Seas.

Habitat

Sphinx blennies live in shallow, sunlit rocky waters in the littoral zone.

Diet

Their diet primarily consists of benthic algae, weeds, and invertebrates.

Size

This species reaches a maximum total length of 8 centimetres, or 3.1 inches.

Mating Behavior

During reproduction, sphinx blennies form distinct mating pairs.

Egg Production

Females can lay up to 7000 eggs in a single clutch.

Egg Guarding

After laying, males guard the eggs inside burrows.

Dead Egg Cannibalization

Males cannibalize dead eggs to stop infection from spreading to healthy eggs.

Living Egg Cannibalization

They have also been observed eating living eggs in smaller broods; this behavior is thought to occur because males have limited feeding opportunities while they are restricted to guarding their nests during the breeding period.

Vulnerability Status

According to FishBase, this species has a Low Vulnerability rating, and its reproductive doubling time is less than 15 months.