| Family: |
Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies), subfamily: Salariinae |
| Max. size: |
4.7 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 12 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Indian Ocean: known only from Christmas Island and the middle coast of Western Australia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-15; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 15-17; Vertebrae: 31-33. Description: Dorsal fin XII.13-15, with deep notch between spinous and ray portions; anal fin II,15-17; pectoral rays 13; pelvic fin I, 3; caudal-fin segmented rays 13. Body depth at anal-fin origin 4.9-5.4 in SL. Vertebrae 10 + 21-23; incisors and anterior canine teeth look very similar, 47-60; posterior canines 1 on each side. Lateral line without pores, ends below 10th dorsal spine and 1st segmented ray. Anterior nostril with cirrus present only on posterior rim. Overall olive brown, nape with transverse pair of dark spots, body with series of 5-8 blackish ocelli (in pairs with distinct margin) and scattered smaller white spots streaks. Eyes brown but bright white on lower portion, and with narrow yellow ring around the pupil and yellow streaks on iris. Dark stripe from eyes to posterior edge of operculum. Operculum and lower cheek margin black. Spinous-dorsal fin with suprabasal stripe, fine and dusky (Ref. 5296, 90102). Fish from North West Cape North West Cape blanched in color but same color pattern (much like that from Christmas Island) but the ocelli are markedly lower in position on the body (Ref. 5296). |
| Biology: |
Adults inhabit coral reefs (Ref. 90102). Oviparous. Eggs are demersal and adhesive (Ref. 205), and are attached to the substrate via a filamentous, adhesive pad or pedestal (Ref. 94114). Larvae are planktonic, often found in shallow, coastal waters (Ref. 94114). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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