Cirripectes jenningsi Schultz, 1943
photo by April Franks / Smithsonian Institution, NMNH, Div. of Fishes

Family:  Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies), subfamily: Salariinae
Max. size:  7.6 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 10 m
Distribution:  Pacific Ocean: Gilbert Islands to the Tuamoto Islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-16; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 15-17; Vertebrae: 31-32. Diagnosis: Dorsal fin XII, 15, membrane attached to caudal fin, with deep notch above last spine, first spine almost same or slightly higher than second; anal fin II, 16; pectoral rays 15; pelvic fin I, 4; caudal fin procurrent rays 10-14. Vertebrae 10 + 21. LL, without scales and scalelike flaps; LL tubes 2-11 (usually 5-9), canal ends below 15th dorsal ray to caudal-fin base. Upper lip crenulae 41-47. Gill rakers 19-24. Cephalic sensory pore complex. Cirri, supraorbital 2-4, nasal 8-19; nuchal 34-44, row uninterrupted, without nuchal flap, cirri connected at their bases by a membranous ridge. Adults and juveniles anterior body light rose with black spots and 2 broad bars, posteriorly dark purple or blue with white spots, cirri pale. Ophioblennius overall cream with small dark brown spot on posterior of lower lip (in alcohol) (Ref. 529).
Biology:  Adults inhabit shallow coral reefs (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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