Pregnant Sailfin Blenny??

[SaltwaterNoobs]

One of the things I love and hate about this hobby is the surprises. Just noticed our sailfin blenny has a rather large, pregnant-looking lump. I cannot tell if it is a pregnant lump or a tumor lump. The blenny stays hidden most of the time, so I have no idea if this lump crept up over night or what.

We have had the blenny for two months and it is the only blenny in the tank. I don't know blenny breeding behavior, so I'm not sure how long the incubating process is. If it's less than two months, what could this lump be?

I am working on getting a picture. It tends to hover in its cave and rarely comes out full body unless it's shooting across the tank to another cave.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[returnofsid]

This type of belly is fairly common with this species of Blenny, when they have a good supply of algae to eat.

 

[thatguy559]

We have had the blenny for two months and it is the only blenny in the tank.

um think you answered your own question








.

 

[Frankie]

um think you answered your own question.

You never know, some wrasses can get into the darnedest places.

 

[SaltwaterNoobs]

um think you answered your own question








.

How could I have answered my own question here when I don't know breeding habits of these fish? I don't know if it got pregnant at the store we bought it from and it takes two months to incubate.

Sid, I guess it could be algae, though I've never seen the belly that big before now, and we haven't seemed to have a burst of more algae.

 

[Frankie]

Sids more then likely spot on with this one SWN. The reason why you don't see the algae is because the blenny is eating it.
If the fish is eating and grazing all day the belly would look full and round.
It could also be a parasite. Could you post some pictures for verification?

 

[returnofsid]

First off, a Blenny wouldn't be "pregnant" as they're not a live bearer.

However, it is possible, with some fish, that the female can be inseminated, once, and continue to lay fertilized eggs for months or even years. This is quite common, with Freshwater speciies, but I don't know about Marine species. I don't know if this is the case with Blennies or not. So, you may be right, in assuming that it could be holding fertilized eggs, even for 2 months, IF Blennies are one of the species capable of doing that.

I've seen lots of these types of Blenny, looking pregnant, from what's actually a good diet. However, hopefully Lee will chime in soon, with his outlook. It'd definitely help, if you're able to provide pictures.

 

[DolphinLVR]

We have a Lawnmower Blenny and the wife says he needs to go on a diet.....LOL