Photo Library

Chordates

Invertebrates

Family Pholodichthyidae

These guys frequently turn up in the aquarium trade where they are known as convict blennies or engineer gobies. They are neither gobies nor blennies but belong in their own family. The common name of engineer goby comes from their incessant building activity and in aquaria they are constantly undermining structures as they extend their tunnel system. The Wikipedia entry on them contains some fascinating information and I direct you there to learn more. I have encountered schools of juvenile engineer gobies in South East Asia, apparently these guys all return to Mom and Dad at the end of the day and take refuge in the burrow system.

Family Pholidichthyidae Engineer gobies, convict blennies

An aquarium photo of a young engineer "goby" Pholidichthys leucotaenia transitioning into adult coloration