Ecsenius minutus Klausewitz, 1963
Ecsenius minutus
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies), subfamily: Salariinae
Max. size:  4 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: known only from Maldives.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-14; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 15-16; Vertebrae: 31-32. Dorsal fin XII or XIII,13 or 14 (rarely XIII); Incised spinous and segmented-ray portions. Anal fin II,15 or 16. Pectoral fin 12-14 (typically 13). Segmented caudal-fin rays 13. Vertebrae 10 + 21 or 22. Dentary incisor teeth which includes anterior canines very similar in appearance from incisors, 46-51 in males and 48-53 in females, averaging more in females than males; posterior canines 0 or 1 (usually 1). Lateral line lacking vertical pairs of pores, extending posteriorly to point between vertical from interspace between 9th and 10th dorsal-fin spines and vertical from 11th spine (usually reaching to or beyond 10th spine). With cirrus on posterior rim of anterior nostril; absent on anterior rim. Distinct, dark stripe on pectoral-fin base entering fin between 7th and 8th from dorsalmost rays; dark, curving stripe on opercle extending dorsally to, or almost to, dark spot (remnant of a dark postorbital stripe) at dorsal margin of opercle (Ref. 5296).
Biology:  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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