Blackhead blenny

📖 Overview

Inhabit small patch reefs surrounded by fine white sand . It is usually found on live corals or gorgonians, often photographed nestled in the grooves of brain corals, with the TP males occupying holes in live corals or sponges; depth range extends to 20 m at least .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 19 - 22; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 15; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 21 - 23. This species without an orbital cirrus or a red banner is distinguished by the following characters: TP territorial males found in holes with a black head; the anterior dorsal fin is plain black without a white rim; first dorsal-fin spine is very short, when adpressed reaching to 4th spine base, about 1/4 HL, the subsequent spines rising to midfin spines; occasionally a short row of small dark spots along anterior lateral midline, occasionally an irregular row of dark spots along proximal membranes of spinous dorsal fin . Dark-shaded, pale, and transitional TP have very short first dorsal-fin spine, that when adpressed reaches to 4th spine base, with subsequent spines rising to midfin; usually with an irregular row of dark spots along proximal spinous-dorsal fin membranes, often indistinct; occasionally with a short row of small dark spots along anterior lateral midline; no opercular bands or lines; the reduced head markings often only a dark band from eye across jaw, sometimes a moustache band at rim above maxilla . IP with very short first dorsal-fin spines, the first spine when adpressed reaching to base of 3rd or 4th spine base, spines rising sharply to midfin spines. Colouration: live colors red, orange, and pink; the cranial pattern a Y-shape: whith a rounded red band 1, band 2 a prominent Y with pale arms and a red stalk, a reduced band 3 often just one, sometimes two, isolated spots or segments, a long pale band 4 becoming red towards the midline, band 5 inconspicuous; IP head spots are reduced, typically only a band from eye across jaws, sometimes a spot at corner of jaw; melanophores near pectoral-fin base are usually diffuse, occasionally one or two spots .Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Blackhead blenny is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range ? - 20 m . Tropical

🌿 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) - 6 records indexed .

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