Cirripectes fuscoguttatus Strasburg & Schultz, 1953
Spotted blenny
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies), subfamily: Salariinae
Max. size:  10.6 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 8 m
Distribution:  Pacific Ocean: southern Taiwan to Tuamoto Islands, south to Tonga; throughout Micronesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-15; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 14-16; Vertebrae: 30-30. Diagnosis: Dorsal fin XII, 14, membrane attached to caudal fin, with deep notch above last spine, first spine almost same or slightly higher than second; anal fin II, 15; pectoral rays 15; pelvic fin I, 4; caudal fin procurrent rays 11-14. Vertebrae 10 + 20. LL, without scales and scalelike flaps; LL tubes 0-3 (sometimes up to 5), canal ends below 13th dorsal spine to caudal-fin base. Upper lip crenulae 40-55. Gill rakers 22-32. Cephalic sensory pore system complex. Cirri: supraorbital 18-42 (usually 20-37); nasal 7-32 (usually 11-27); nuchal 47-66 (usually 50-60), in 4 groups with 2 or more sometimes connected basally by a frenum, dorsalmost groups usually meet or overlap at midpoint on nape, ventralmost group on each side borne on broadly expanded flap. Head with dark brown spots on pale background; orangish red iris; yellow pelvic fins; pectoral fins spotted on proximal half. (Ref. 529).
Biology:  Typically found in the surge zone of coral reefs from 0-8 m deep (Ref. 529). 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: 24 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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