Dr. Paddy Ryan, USA
Info
The name of the three-fin blenny Ruanoho whero, which is endemic to the waters of New Zealand, originally comes from the language of New Zealand's indigenous people, the Maori.
"rua" stands for fish or/and hole
"noho" means to live
when put together it means "fish that live in holes or crevices".
"whero" can have different meanings, red, red-haired, vermilion, pupa, raccoon and many more.
We assume that "whero" refers to the diagonal reddish streak of the blenny.
Ruanoho whero is most common in sheltered to moderately exposed reef areas with broken rock on offshore islands and nearshore areas of the mainland, where the small fish can quickly find shelter from predators.
The blenny has a flattened head with large eyes surrounded by a dark band that gives it its colloquial name. The head and fins have a pattern of fine blue lines, and the large pectoral fins are used as supports when the fish rests on the bottom, where it spends most of its time.
During the mating season in winter and spring, males become darker, with a blue/black head and a black first dorsal fin, as well as dark bars on the body.
Besides marine food animals, Ruanoho whero also feeds on caddisflies (Trichoptera).
Jumping guard
A jumping guard prevents (nocturnal) fish from jumping out.
Wrasses, blennies, hawkfishs and gobies jump out of an unprotected tank in fright if their night rest is disturbed, unfortunately these jumpers are found dried up in the morning on carpets, glass edges or later behind the tank.
https://www.korallenriff.de/en/article/1925_5_Jump_Protection_Solutions_for_Fish_in_the_Aquarium__5_Net_Covers.html
A small night light also helps, as it provides the fish with a means of orientation in the dark!
"rua" stands for fish or/and hole
"noho" means to live
when put together it means "fish that live in holes or crevices".
"whero" can have different meanings, red, red-haired, vermilion, pupa, raccoon and many more.
We assume that "whero" refers to the diagonal reddish streak of the blenny.
Ruanoho whero is most common in sheltered to moderately exposed reef areas with broken rock on offshore islands and nearshore areas of the mainland, where the small fish can quickly find shelter from predators.
The blenny has a flattened head with large eyes surrounded by a dark band that gives it its colloquial name. The head and fins have a pattern of fine blue lines, and the large pectoral fins are used as supports when the fish rests on the bottom, where it spends most of its time.
During the mating season in winter and spring, males become darker, with a blue/black head and a black first dorsal fin, as well as dark bars on the body.
Besides marine food animals, Ruanoho whero also feeds on caddisflies (Trichoptera).
Jumping guard
A jumping guard prevents (nocturnal) fish from jumping out.
Wrasses, blennies, hawkfishs and gobies jump out of an unprotected tank in fright if their night rest is disturbed, unfortunately these jumpers are found dried up in the morning on carpets, glass edges or later behind the tank.
https://www.korallenriff.de/en/article/1925_5_Jump_Protection_Solutions_for_Fish_in_the_Aquarium__5_Net_Covers.html
A small night light also helps, as it provides the fish with a means of orientation in the dark!
