leaping blenny

{{Short description|Species of fish}}

{{Speciesbox

| image = FMIB 51602 Lizard-skipper, Alticus saliens (Forster) A blenny which lies out of water on lava-rocks, leaping from one to another with great.jpeg

| image_alt =

| image_caption =

| status = DD

| status_system = IUCN3.1

| status_ref = {{cite iucn |author=Williams, J.T. |date=2014 |title=Alticus saliens |volume=2014 |page=e.T48321187A48343142 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T48321187A48343142.en |access-date=20 November 2021}}

| taxon = Alticus saliens

| authority = (J. R. Forster, 1788)

| synonyms = * Blennius saliens

| synonyms_ref = [http://www.fishbase.org/Nomenclature/SynonymsList.php?ID=6031&SynCode=130767&GenusName=Alticus&SpeciesName=saliens Synonyms of Alticus saliens] at www.fishbase.org.

}}

File:LeapingBlennyVid (edited).webm

The leaping blenny (Alticus saliens), also known as the jumping blenny,[http://www.fishbase.org/comnames/CommonNamesList.php?ID=6031&GenusName=Alticus&SpeciesName=saliens&StockCode=6345 Common names for Alticus saliens] at www.fishbase.org. is a species of combtooth blenny (family Blenniidae) in the genus Alticus.[http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=6031 Alticus saliens] at www.fishbase.org. There is some uncertainty as to whether it was first described by J.R. Forster in 1788Forster, J. R., 1788 [ref. 1354] Enchiridion historiae naturali inserviens, quo, termini et delineationes ad avium, piscium, insectorum et plantarum adumbrationes intelligendas et concinnandas, secundum methodum systematis Linnaeani continentur. Hemmerde & Schwetschke, Halae. Enchiridion historiae naturali inserviens: 1-6 + 6 + 1-224 pp. or B.G.E. Lacepède in 1800,Lacepède, B. G. E., 1800 (20 July) [ref. 2709] Histoire naturelle des poissons. Histoire naturelle des poissons (Lacepéde) v. 2: i-lxiv + 1-632, Pls. 1-20. although Fishbase currently accredits it to Forster. It was originally described as a member of the genus Blennius.

It is a tropical blenny known from the Pacific and Indian oceans, including the Red Sea, the Society Islands, the Ryukyu and Bonin Islands, Queensland, Australia; and the Mariana Islands. Leaping blennies have been recorded at a maximum water depth of 2 metres, though notably live above the water. They inhabit holes in limestone deposits in intertidal zones, and leap between holes when disturbed, earning them their common name. They are very social at mid-tide, using visual displays to warn off competitors and attract mates. Although they must remain moist to breathe, the blennies are able to breathe air, and actively avoid submersion by tide waters.[https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110830102542.htm "'Landlubber' Fish Leap for Love When Tide Is Right"] at http://www.sciencedaily.com.

Leaping blennies feed primarily off of algae.[http://www.fishbase.org/TrophicEco/FoodItemsList.php?vstockcode=6345&genus=Alticus&species=saliens Food items reported for Alticus saliens] at www.fishbase.org. They are oviparous and form distinct pairs when mating.[http://www.fishbase.org/Reproduction/FishReproSummary.php?ID=6031&GenusName=Alticus&SpeciesName=saliens&fc=392&StockCode=6345 Reproduction summary for Alticus saliens] at www.fishbase.org. They can reach a maximum total length of 10 centimetres (4 inches).[http://www.fishwise.co.za/Default.aspx?TabID=110&SpecieConfigId=253729&GenusSpecies=Alticus_saliens Alticus saliens] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120801072925/http://www.fishwise.co.za/Default.aspx?TabID=110&SpecieConfigId=253729&GenusSpecies=Alticus_saliens |date=2012-08-01 }} at www.fishwise.co.xa.