Parental Care of the Eggs and the Early Larvae of the Oyster Bleeny, Omobranchus anolius (Valenciennes) (Blenniidae)

Abstract

The oyster blenny, Omobranchus anolius (Valenciennes), commonly uses the shells of the oyster Crassostrea commercialis (Ireland and Roughley) as a nesting place. The male parent guards the eggs during development. The eggs are laid in batches which hatch over a prolonged period. A daily rhythm in hatching is apparent, with most eggs hatching in the early evening. Some aspects of the development of the eggs and larvae are reported upon, particularly the formation and fate of the pigment patches. On hatching, each larva is taken into the mouth of the parent and expelled from the nest, apparently to remove from the larva an amorphous material which clings to it. Larvae were kept alive in the laboratory successfully for only 3 days after hatching.