Odd bicolor blenny

[Abraham1907]

Most of the bicolor blennies i see are solid blue followed by solid yellow in the back. Well the one I got from my LFS has the same general pattern, but he is white on the bottom, and has a sortof stripe down his side. I can't get a good picture of him b/c every time i approach the tank he hides in a hole. Has anybody ever seen one like this? It doesn't really bother me, (I still bought him didn't I) I just want to know if this is normal?

Here is the best picture I could get from the other side of the room without scaring him....

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/136367IMG_0180.jpg

[MancMonkey]

Looks like a red sea mimic blenny (Ecsenius gravieri) as opposed to a bicolor blenny (Ecsenius bicolor) which are generally purple and yellow/orange. I dont think the white belly is anything to worry about, i've seen both perfectly healthy.

[triggerfish1976]

I agree. It is a Red Sea Mimic Blenny. The stripe down the side gives it away.
The dis-coloration may be a sign of stress. Is it acting funny otherwise?

http://liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=1960&N=0

[Abraham1907]

After looking at the pic on live aquaria, I can tell you 100% that it isn't a red sea mimic blenny. The fins are nothing alike, I will get you a better picture when I can. Like I said, this picture was from the couch on the other side of the room, so it's not good quality at all.

[Abraham1907]

AHA!I got it! Just a little research and I found out that what I have is actually a rare color morph! Now I'm excited.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-07/hcs3/images/bicolorSM.jpg

The rarest color form of Ecsenius bicolor, the striped pattern, is seen here. At one time Ecsenius hawaiiensis was believed to be an endemic of Hawaiian waters, but increased collection throughout Hawaiian waters with no further collections of this fish has led researchers to believe E. hawaiiensis was actually E. bicolor. Photo courtesy of John Randall.

Here is the link to the website if you want to read more about it.

Here. (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-07/hcs3/index.php)

[BiggySmalls]

what lfs do u work in? i am in IL

[Abraham1907]

I work at Land and Sea Pet Center. We have locations in Mongomery and Plainfield.

[BiggySmalls]

oh i havent been there yet

[Abraham1907]

We have some good stuff, pm me if there is anything special you want and i'll tell you if we have it or not.

[xian]

My bicolor also has some strange coloration but he's not as exciting as yours. I think they vary regionally.

My midas blenny also has an unusual coloration. He's purple with a yellow tail.

[sirbooks]

I like that color form more than the normal one. We've got a bicolor like yours at work right now. I don't think they're truly rare, but they are certainly not seen as often as the standard color morph.

[Abraham1907]

Definition of the word rare:

* not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness; "a rare word"; "rare books"

* recurring only at long intervals; "a rare appearance"; "total eclipses are rare events"

I would say that "certainly not seen as often" means rare... Not trying to pick a fight or anything, just pointing out that you are agreeing with me and disagreeing with me at the same time...

xian- do you have any pictures of you bicolor or your midas? I would love to see them.

[sirbooks]

I see "rare" as something which is truly scarce, rather than that which is merely uncommon. The word is interpreted in different ways, which is understandable since it is fairly ambiguous. Here, I'm just disagreeing with your definition of "rare". No big deal.

[Kahuna Tuna]

According to Scott Michael the bicolor blenny comes in four distinct color morphs. I've personally seen only the standard dark front/yellow rear blenny which is what I have. I like the look of the variant better as well, nice fish!

[Abraham1907]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8846617#post8846617 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sirbooks
No big deal.

Agreed!

This guys is really starting to bug me b/c he won't let me take a picture of him. I guess I just have to keep trying.... As soon as I get one I'll post it.

[Abraham1907]

Yes! I got some pictures of him! They aren't the best, I'm still learning how to use this new camera, but they will do.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/tangy2/IMG_0247.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/tangy2/IMG_0246.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/tangy2/IMG_0244.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/tangy2/IMG_0242.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/tangy2/IMG_0226.jpg