Blackblotch blenny

📖 Overview

Facultative air-breathing in the genus ; Found in coral reefs and rocky reefs . 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 .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 17; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 16 - 18; Vertebrae: 31 - 32. Diagnosis: Dorsal fin XII, 15-17 (usually 16), deeply incised above the last spine; anal fin II, 16-18 (usually 17); pectoral rays 14-16 (in general for the genus); pelvic fin I, 4; caudal fin procurrent rays 10-14. Gill rakers 25-31. Vertebrae 10 + 21-23 (usually 22); last pleural rib on 12th, last epipleural rib on 18th-23rd vertebral centrum. Body scaleless. Lateral line, anterior portion with small scalelike flaps, LL tubes 11-17 (rarely 9-10), series ends below and posterior to dorsal fin ray 12. Narrow inner ring of iris yellow, remainder black. Lower lip crenulated mesially, plicate laterally. Upper lip crenulae 34-52. Cirri, nuchal 28-42, supraorbital 4-18, nasal 8-27. Nuchal cirri in 2 groups, not overlapping at midpoint of nape, no nuchal flaps. First and second dorsal fin spine almost same height. Species name (albus - white; apicalis - apex) refers to pale tips of dorsal-fin spines. Adult brown in body color with spots; brown pupil-sized spot behind each eye. Ophioblennius stage overall light brown; lower lip both corners with dark spot; cirri brown; fins pale (in alcohol); dentary with 2-4 canines posteriorly .: elongated; Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Blackblotch blenny is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Blackblotch blenny is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Oviparous, distinct pairing . Urogenital orifice of male genital papilla located at distal tip or on posterior side of a single slender filament on a fleshy swelling behind anus; elongated testes, length equal to 2-3 times the width .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 10 m . Tropical; 20°S - 34°S, 148°E - 108°W Pacific Ocean: Capricorn Group of the Great Barrier Reef, Lord Howe, Norfolk, Kermadec, Cook, Austral and Easter islands; also from the Pitcairn Group.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 4 records indexed .

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