Midas blenny

Ecsenius midas, known commonly as the Midas blenny, Persian blenny, lyretail blenny or golden blenny, is a species of marine fish in the family Blenniidae.[2]

Midas blenny
In the Andaman Islands
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Blenniiformes
Family: Blenniidae
Genus: Ecsenius
Species:
E. midas
Binomial name
Ecsenius midas
Starck, 1969

The Midas blenny is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific area from the eastern coast of Africa, Red Sea included, to the Marquesan Islands.[2] The specific name references the Phrygian king Midas who, in Greek mythology turned all he touched into gold, the type was a golden color in life although it is now known that this species is variable in color.[3]

It grows to a size of 13 cm in length.[4][5] Its normal color is golden orange but it can adapt its color (mimicry) to match the color of the fishes it mixes with.[6] It shows a black spot near the anus. It is often seen in company of the lyretail anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis).[7]

The Midas blenny is a planktivore.[8]

It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade.

References
  1. Williams, J.T. (2014). "Ecsenius midas". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T48342333A48354285. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T48342333A48354285.en.
  2. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2018). "Ecsenius midas" in FishBase. October 2018 version.
  3. Christopher Scharpf; Kenneth J. Lazara (26 October 2018). "Order BLENNIIFORMES: Family BLENNIIDAE". The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database. Christopher Scharpf and Kenneth J. Lazara. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  4. Tristan Lougher (2006). What Fish?: A Buyer's Guide to Marine Fish. Interpet Publishing. p. 159. ISBN 978-1-84286-118-9.
  5. Lieske & Myers,Coral reef fishes,Princeton University Press, 2009, ISBN 9780691089959
  6. Kuiter, R.H. and T. Tonozuka, 2001. Pictorial guide to Indonesian reef fishes. Part 2. Fusiliers - Dragonets, Caesionidae - Callionymidae. Zoonetics, Australia. 304-622 p.
  7. Lieske & Myers,Guide des poissons des récifs coralliens,Delachaux & Niestlé,2009, ISBN 9782603016749
  8. Myers, R.F., 1999. Micronesian reef fishes: a comprehensive guide to the coral reef fishes of Micronesia, 3rd revised and expanded edition. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Guam. 330 p.


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