Ophioblennius steindachneri Jordan & Evermann, 1898
Large-banded blenny
Ophioblennius steindachneri
photo by Muséum-Aquarium de Nancy/B. Alenda

Family:  Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies), subfamily: Salariinae
Max. size:  18 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 18 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Bahía Sebastían Vizcaino and the northern Gulf of California (Isla Angel de la Guarda and Puerto Lobos) to Peru, including the Galapagos Islands (Ref. 5590).
Diagnosis:  Body cylindrical; head with cirri above the eyes, on the nape, and at the posterior edge of the anterior nostril; maxillary not protrusible; each jaw with one row of incisiform teeth; anal and dorsal fins elongated ; lateral line divided into two, independent, overlapping segments (Ref. 55763).
Biology:  Adults prefer the surge zone of unprotected rocky headlands with steep slopes. They wedge themselves in crevices close to shore in shallow water, darting out to defend their territory. Diurnal feeders that graze on algae and sessile invertebrates, using their comb-like incisor teeth to scrape food (Ref. 28023). 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: 27 May 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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