ABSTRACT

Early life history information is available for about 40% of the 151 blennioid genera (Table 4.4.1), but this is less than 20% of the 875 species. Blennioid larvae are planktonic. At hatching, the oviparous species are about 1.5-6.5 mm long (Table 4.4.2), preflexion-stage larvae that are usually ready to begin feeding, with fully pigmented eyes, functional jaws, and only a small yolk reserve. Viviparous species typically are larger and further developed at birth: clinins, for example, complete notochord flexion prior to birth. Blennioids generally undergo notochord flexion at about 4-12 mm and settle from the plankton at about 10-25 mm, although some clinids and blenniids are much larger at settlement.