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Ecsenius axelrodi Springer, 1988 Axelrod's clown blenny |
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photo by
Malaer, P. |
| Family: | Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies), subfamily: Salariinae | |||
| Max. size: | 5.8 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 36 m | |||
| Distribution: | Western Central Pacific: Admiralty Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands. Replaced by Ecsenius bathi from Bali to Flores and Ecsenius dilema in the Philippines (Ref. 37816). | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-14; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 14-16. Description: Dorsal fin XII.12-14 (usually 13), with deep notched between spinous and segmented-ray portions; anal fin 11,14-16 (usually 15); pectoral fin 12-13 (usually 13); pelvic fin I, 3; caudal fin 13. Vertebrae 10 + 21-23 (usually 22). Canines and incisors look very similar, total of 38-46, posterior canines usually one on each side. Lateral line pores absent. Anterior nostril with cirrus on posterior rim only (Ref. 5296, 90102). Variable in color, usually with broad orange bands and black bars on the rear of the body, but occasionally with black longitudinal stripes (Ref. 48636). Two color pattern variations: either overall orange with dark vivid vertical bands (may be broken or spots) and 2 white horizontal stripes on upper side, otherwise, head yellow, body pale grey, with 3 dark horizontal stripes on side, washed with yellow anteriorly, and yellow lines through eyes, also with dark spot behind head, and orange stripe on pectoral fin-base (Ref. 5296, 90102). Extensive color description of live and preserved specimens of the striped and banded variants could be found in Ref. 5296. | |||
| Biology: | Adults occur solitary or forms small groups on coral outcrops (Ref. 90102). Found in clear water, rich coral habitats on coastal to outer reef crests of slopes to about 15 m depth. They live on rocks and corals on steep slopes. (Ref. 48636). 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). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 24 March 2009 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||