| Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies), subfamily: Salariinae |
| 5 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
|
reef-associated; brackish; marine |
| Western Central Atlantic: southern Florida (USA), the Antilles, and Mexico to Panama (including the Pacific end of Canal Zone). |
|
Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Anal spines: 2-2. Species distinguished by: anterior dorsal-fin spines about same length as posterior rays for males and females; dorsal fin not separated into 2 portions by deep notch; dorsal-fin spines usually 12, the last easy to see; total dorsal-fin elements 25 to 27; pectoral-fin soft rays usually 13; segmented caudal-fin soft rays usually 13; segmented pelvic-fin rays 3 or 4; cirri present only on eyes; a single, simple cirrus on each eye; ventral edge of upper lip smooth; gill opening continuous from one side of head to other across ventral surface of head, extending ventrally to about midlevel of pectoral-fin base or further (may extend completely around lower side of head and form common opening with gill opening of opposite side); no teeth on vomer; lateral line never consisting of 2 disconnected, overlapping portions. Common amongst Blenniids: small, slender fishes, largest species to about 13 cm SL, most under 7.5 cm SL. Eyes high on sides of head; mouth ventral, upper jaw not protractile. A single row of incisor-like teeth in each jaw and often an enlarged canine-like tooth posteriorly on each side of lower jaw and sometimes upper jaw; no teeth on palatines. Dorsal and anal fins long, their spines usually flexible; dorsal fin with fewer spines than segmented (soft) rays; 2 spines in anal fin, scarcely differentiated from the segmented rays, the first not visible in females, both often supporting fleshy, bulbous, rugose swellings at their tips in males; pelvic fins inserted anterior to base of pectoral fins, with 1 spine (not visible) and segmented rays; all segmented fin rays, except those of caudal fin, unbranched (simple), caudal-fin rays of adults branched. All species lack scales (Ref.52855). |
| Adults are found on coastal waters, including mangroves and estuaries (Ref. 26340). 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). |
|
Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 24 January 2014 Ref. (130435)
|
| harmless |
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