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Ecsenius gravieri (Pellegrin, 1906) Red Sea mimic blenny |
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photo by
Field, R. |
| Family: | Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies), subfamily: Salariinae | |||
| Max. size: | 8 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine | |||
| Distribution: | Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea (including the Gulf of Aqaba) to the westernmost Gulf of Aden. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 12-14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-19; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 18-21; Vertebrae: 35-37. Dorsal fin typically XIII, 16-19 (rarely 16 or 19), spinous and segmented-ray portions with moderate notch in-between. Anal fin II,18-21 (rarely 18 or 21). Pectoral fin 13-15 (rarely 13, typically 14). Segmented caudal-fin rays 13. Vertebrae 10 or 11 (rarely 10) + 24-26 (rarely 24) = 35-37 (rarely 35). Dentary incisor teeth which includes anterior canine teeth very similar in appearance with incisors, 44-54; posterior dentary canines 0 or 1 (typically 1) on each side. Lateral line lacking pairs of pores, terminating posteriorly at a point between verticals from dorsal-fin spines 8 and 11 (rarely as far anteriorly as 8). With cirrus on posterior rim of anterior nostril; absent on anterior rim. Two color patterns: pale (northern) and dark (southern). | |||
| Biology: | Mimics Meiacanthus nigrolineatus (Ref. 9710). 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: 25 March 2009 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||