Blenniella paula (Bryan & Herre, 1903)
Bluedash rockskipper
Blenniella paula
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies), subfamily: Salariinae
Max. size:  12.5 cm SL (male/unsexed); 13.1 cm SL (female)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 3 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: southern Sulawesi; Palau to Marquesan and Ducie islands, north to Marcus Islands, south to Great Barrier Reef; throughout Micronesia; replaced by Blenniella periophthalmus in the Indian Ocean and southeast Asia from Ryukyus through Solomons to Santa Cruz Islands (Ref. 37816).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18-21; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 20-21; Vertebrae: 37-39. Diagnosis: Dorsal fin XII-XIV, 18-21, notched between spinous and segmented-ray portions; anal fin II, 20-21; pectoral rays 13-15 (usually 14); pelvic fin I, 3; caudal fin, procurrent rays 7, segmented rays 13. Vertebrae 12 + 25-27. Orbital cirrus simple and slender, may have a short lateral branch, less often up to 4 branches; nasal cirri short and palmate, may rarely have more than 6 branches; nuchal cirri simple and slender, may have a single branch or a ragged edge. Mandibular pores 6. Dorsal lips margin entire, ventral margin crenulated. Occipital crest absent, but large males have a low thin ridge (less than 1.8 mm); no crest or ridge in females (Ref. 9962).
Biology:  Adults are common on exposed outer intertidal reef flats, in areas with numerous cracks and holes. They feed on filamentous algae and associated minute invertebrates, e.g., foraminiferans, ostracods, copepods, and gastropods (Ref. 37816). 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


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