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Blenniiformes (Blennies) >
Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies) > Salariinae
Etymology: Ecsenius: Greek, exenios, -os, -on = uncontrolled, immoderate; dentex: Pre-Linnean source unclear; Latin, 'dens' = tooth or toothed, referring to the species' most prominent characteristic of having the highest average number of teeth within the Yaeyamaensis Group.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; demersal; depth range 0 - 4 m (Ref. 5296). Tropical
Western Indian Ocean: occurs only in the Gulf of Aqaba and northernmost part of the Red Sea adjacent to the gulf.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 4.8 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5296)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 11 - 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 15; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 15 - 17; Vertebrae: 31 - 33. Dorsal fin XI-XIII.13-15 (rarely XI, XIII, or 15); incised between spinous and segmented-ray portions. Anal fin 11,15-17 (rarely 17). Pectoral fin 12-14 (usually 13). Segmented caudal-fin rays 13. Vertebrae 10 + 21-23. Dentary incisor teeth which includes anterior canines very similar in appearance with incisors, 49-59 in males and 53 to 63 in females, averaging more in females than males; posterior canines 0 or 1 (typically 1). Lateral line lacking vertical pairs of pores, extending posteriorly to point between verticals from 9th and 11th dorsal-fin spines, typically extending to or beyond 10th spine. With cirrus on posterior rim of anterior nostril; absent on anterior rim.
Body shape (shape guide): elongated; Cross section: oval.
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).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Oviparous, distinct pairing (Ref. 205).
Springer, V.G., 1988. The Indo-Pacific blenniid fish genus Ecsenius. Smithson. Contrib. Zool. (465):134 p. (Ref. 5296)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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