Barrel Sponge (Xestospongia
muta) Tesselated blenny (Hypsoblennius invemar),
on the left and a seaweed blenny (Parablennius
marmoreus) on the right - these are often seen poking
their heads out of barnacles on the oil platform structures.
Here they are surrounded by a red-orange encrusting sponge.
The tesselated blenny is usually seen above around 30 feet.
They have not been documented at the Flower Garden or
Stetson Bank. The seaweed blenny is a common sight at
Stetson Bank in particular. They come in various colors, but
you can be sure of their identification by looking for the
blue lines that radiate from their eyes. (photo: Frank and
Joyce Burek)
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