| Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies), subfamily: Salariinae |
| 5 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
|
reef-associated; marine; depth range - 0 m |
| Western Central Pacific: endemic in Papua New Guinea. |
|
Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-15; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 16-16; Vertebrae: 31-32. Description: Dorsal fin XII,14-15; anal fin II,16; pectoral rays 13; pelvic fin I,3; segmented caudal-fin rays 13. Male caudal-fin rays (dorsal and ventral) elongate. Vertebrae 10 + 21-22, incisors and canines look very similar, 45-50; posterior canines 1 on each side. Lateral line short, without pores, terminates below dorsal-fin spines 8-10. Anterior nostril with short cirrus on posterior rim only. Head dusky above eye and almost white below; pupil ringed with yellow, iris with yellow streaks. Body pale milky grey-brown, with 3 rows of black spots, dorsal contour with about 7 in a row, first spot at first dorsal spine, last spot at segmented-ray portion; middle row of 8-11 spots from operculum to caudal-fin base; another row of 6-9 spots ventrally (Ref. 5296, 90102). Males may be distinguished from females by the color pattern on ventral surface of head. Easily distinguished from closely related species (of the Prooculis Group) by its unique color pattern (Ref. 5296). Body depth 4.2 in SL, at origin of anal-fin (Ref. 90102). |
| Adults inhabit lagoons and silty coastal reefs at 1-10 m deep, and found solitary or in small groups on coral outcrops (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). |
|
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
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