Midas Blenny, scientifically known as Ecsenius midas, is a type of marine fish belonging to the Blenniidae family.
It’s also known as Persian Blenny, Lyretail Blenny, or Golden Blenny.
It’s commonly found in tropical waters across the Indo-Pacific region, from Africa’s eastern coast to the Marquesan Islands.
This fish has a golden color, which inspired its name after King Midas from Greek mythology. Midas blenny has an orange-gold color.
However, it can change its color to blend with other fish it swims with.
It also has a black spot near its rear end and is often seen around lyretail anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis).
These fish mainly eat plankton and live in coral reefs, usually where currents are moderate.
They swim 2 to 3 meters above the ocean floor and often mimic the behavior of Pseudanthias huchtii and Lepidozygus tapeinosomoa when swimming.
Sometimes they appear in aquariums and are safe for reef tanks.
Midas Blenny Interesting Facts
- Midas blenny changes color to blend with other fish it swims with.
- It mimics the behavior of Pseudanthias huchtii and Lepidozygus tapeinosomoa when swimming.
- The fish lay adhesive eggs that attach to surfaces using a filamentous pad or pedestal.
Midas Blenny Habitat
Midas blenny is a tropical fish found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Gulf of Aqaba and the southeast coast of Africa to the Marquesan Islands.
It lives near coral reefs at depths of 2 to 40 meters.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Midas Blenny Physical Characteristics
Size: 5.1 inches (13.0 centimeters)
Midas blenny grows up to 5.1 inches (13.0 centimeters) long. This fish has 13 to 14 dorsal spines and 19 to 21 dorsal soft rays.
It also has 2 anal spines and 20 to 23 anal soft rays. This fish is golden orange in color and has a black spot near its anus.
The front part of its dorsal fin has a thin dark edge. In Indonesia, midas blenny is gray or greenish to golden-yellow in color. Adult fish have long tails.
Midas Blenny Reproduction
Midas blennies form unique pairs for reproduction. They lay demersal, adhesive eggs that attach to surfaces using a filamentous pad or pedestal.
Their larvae are planktonic and typically found in shallow coastal waters.
Midas Blenny Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Blenniiformes |
| Family: | Blenniidae |
| Genus: | Ecsenius |
| Scientific Name: | Ecsenius midas |
| Also Known As: | Midas Blenny, Persian Blenny, Lyretail Blenny, Golden Blenny |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |