| Family: |
Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies), subfamily: Salariinae |
| Max. size: |
10 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; marine |
| Distribution: |
Western Atlantic: South Carolina to Texas, including southern Florida in the USA. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 11-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-15; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 14-17. Gill opening extending ventrally to opposite 5th-11th pectoral-fin ray; segmented dorsal-fin rays 13-15; segmented pelvic-fin rays 3; last dorsal-fin spine 8.5-15.5% SL; dorsal-fin spines robust and stiff; no elongate fleshy flap present posteriorly on lower lip; infraorbital bones 5; upper lip with free dorsal margin extending around snout; fleshy lobes of lower lip almost semicircular in lateral view and separated anterioventrally by a broad shield-shaped lobe; bony interorbital width comparatively narrower; dark spot usually absent in spinous dorsal fin, but if present centered on third spine; mandibular pores 3. |
| Biology: |
Herbivorous, with short chisel-like teeth used to scrape algae and detritus from surfaces (Ref. 94105). 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: 18 October 2007 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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