Blue-dashed rockskipper
📖 Overview
Adults inhabit exposed outer intertidal reef flats, where it can hide in cracks and holes. Commonly observed clinging to rocks as the water recedes below them during the low cycle of the swell and this species is often confused with mudskipper gobies . They feed on filamentous algae and associated small invertebrates, such as foraminiferans, ostracods, copepods, and gastropods. Oviparous. Eggs are demersal and adhesive , and are attached to the substrate via a filamentous, adhesive pad or pedestal . Larvae are planktonic, often found in shallow, coastal waters . Rarely used for aquarium fish.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 12 - 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18 - 21; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 19 - 21; Vertebrae: 25 - 27. Diagnosis: Dorsal fin XIII, 18-21, notched between spinous and segmented-ray portions; anal fin II, 19-21; pectoral rays 13-15 (usually 14); pelvic fin I, 3; caudal fin, procurrent rays 7, segmented rays 13. Vertebrae 12 + 25-27. Orbital cirrus simple and slender, may have a short lateral branch, less often up to 4 branches; nasal cirri short and palmate, may rarely have more than 6 branches; nuchal cirri simple and slender, may have a single branch or a ragged edge. Mandibular pores 6. Dorsal lips margin entire, ventral margin crenulated. Occipital crest absent, but large males have a low thin ridge (less than 1.8 mm); no crest or ridge in females Three color-pattern types described for different localities (see Ref. 9962). Body of males with 6-7 dusky bands with 1 or a pair of dark margined, pale, oblong spots on each band; dark spots on spinous dorsal, dusky lines on rayed dorsal. Females with spots on caudal peduncle; body sometimes with fine dark specks . Body depth at anal-fin origin 4.6-5.3 in SL .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Blue-dashed rockskipper is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Blue-dashed rockskipper is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Distinct pairing .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 3 m . Tropical; 30°N - 30°S south to Durban, South Africa, east to the Marquesas and Tuamoto Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands; throughout Micronesia.
🌿 Ecology
filamentous algae and associated small invertebrates, such as foraminiferans, ostracods, copepods, a
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alticops periophthalmus | Valenciennes | 1836 | Synonym |
| Istiblennius biseriatus | Valenciennes | 1836 | Synonym |
| Istiblennius periophthalmus | Valenciennes | 1836 | Synonym |
| Istiblennius periophthalmus biseriatus | Valenciennes | 1836 | Synonym |
| Salarias biseriatus | Valenciennes | 1836 | Synonym |
| Salarias muscarus | Snyder | 1908 | Synonym |
| Salarias percophthalmus | Valenciennes | 1836 | Synonym |
| Salarias periophthalmus | Valenciennes | 1836 | Synonym |
| Salarias schultzei | Bleeker | 1859 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 4 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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