Molly Miller Blenny, scientifically known as Scartella cristata, is a type of marine fish from the combtooth blennies family.
You can find it in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and northwest Pacific Oceans. This fish has a mix of tan, white, and black colors on its body and fins.
Adult molly millers live in shallow rocky areas and tide pools. They hide in empty shells or crevices between rocks or algae.
As they grow older, their diet shifts from eating small animals to mostly algae. Molly miller blennies are safe for coral reefs.
You can check out what this fish looks like over here.
Molly Miller Blenny Interesting Facts
- Molly miller blennies have a diverse habitat, found in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and northwest Pacific Oceans.
- These fish change their diet as they age, transitioning from small animals to mostly algae.
- They lay adhesive eggs that become part of the plankton near coastlines.
- Notably safe for coral reefs, they prefer living close to reefs at shallow depths.
Molly Miller Blenny Habitat
Molly miller blenny is found in various parts of the world, such as the Western Atlantic (from Bermuda and Florida to Brazil), Eastern Atlantic (from Mauritania to South Africa), and some southern areas of the Mediterranean Sea, like Spain, Sicily, and Greece.
It also lives in parts of Japan and Taiwan in the Northwest Pacific region.
This fish prefers marine environments near reefs at depths of 0 to 10 meters and thrives in tropical waters.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Molly Miller Blenny Physical Characteristics
Size: 4.7 inches (12.0 centimeters)
Molly miller blenny grows up to 4.7 inches (12.0 centimeters) long. It has 12 dorsal spines, 14 to 15 dorsal soft rays, 2 anal spines, and 14 to 17 anal soft rays.
This fish has an unusual fin on their neck that can stand up.
Molly miller looks similar to the P. yatabei but is easily identified by the unique hair-like structures (cirri) on its neck area.
It also has a small cirrus above its eyes. Its color is dull green or olive with dark stripes on its body that continue onto the lower part of its dorsal fin.
Molly Miller Blenny Reproduction
Molly miller blenny forms unique mating pairs. The female fish lay eggs that stick to surfaces with an adhesive pad.
The baby fish are part of the plankton found near coastlines.
Molly Miller Blenny Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Blenniiformes |
| Family: | Blenniidae |
| Genus: | Scartella |
| Scientific Name: | Scartella cristata |
| Also Known As: | Molly Miller Blenny |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |