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Blenniiformes (Blennies) >
Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies) > Blenniinae
Etymology: Petroscirtes: Latin, petra, -ae = stone + Greek, skirteo = to jump.
More on authors: Jordan & Seale.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 12 m (Ref. 86942). Tropical; 16°N - 24°S
Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Line and Society Islands, north to Mariana Islands, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef; throughout Micronesia. Likely at Seychelles (Ref. 1623).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 7.5 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 90102)
Dorsal spines (total): 10 - 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 16. Has a tall dorsal fin and small tufts below the chin (Ref. 48636). Resembles P. thepassii and P. variabilis but usually has fewer total dorsal fin elements (Ref. 37816).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated.
Adults occur solitary (Ref. 90102) usually over sandy areas of reef flats and shallow lagoons. Small juveniles were found below the upside-down jelly Cassiopea that moves over sandy substrates providing safe travel (Ref. 48636). Eggs are attached to the substrate via a filamentous, adhesive pad or pedestal (Ref. 94114). Females nest in empty mollusk shells (Ref. 1602). 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). Nests in empty mollusk shells (Ref. 1602).
Myers, R.F., 1991. Micronesian reef fishes. Second Ed. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Guam. 298 p. (Ref. 1602)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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