Pictus Blenny

Distinctive pattern of white lines and series of white spots that is clearly visible in deep water (Ref. 48636).

Oviparous, distinct pairing (Ref. 205).

Found among coral (Ref. 9710). Occurs mainly along outer reef walls with rich coral and other invertebrate growth at moderate depths to about 25 m. Usually seen in pairs and often perched on large sponges (Ref. 48636). A deep-dwelling species of the genus.

Found among corals (Ref. 9710). Adults occur mainly along outer reef walls with rich coral and other invertebrate growth at moderate depths to about 25 m. Usually seen in pairs and often perched on large sponges (Ref. 48636). A deep-dwelling species of the genus. 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). Minimum depth from Ref. 58018.

aquarium: commercial

Ecsenius pictus

DESCRIPTION (see Table 11 for frequencies of certain counts; other counts, with frequencies in parentheses, as follows).—Dorsal-fin spines 12(8); pectoral-fin rays 13(8, 1 specimen with 14 on right side only); segmented caudal-fin rays 13(5); dorsal procurrent caudal-fin rays 7(3), 8(1); ventral procurrent caudal-fin rays 6(2), 7(1), 8(1); total caudal-fin elements 26(2), 27(1), 29(1); pseudobranchial filaments 6(6); lower jaw (one side) posterior canine teeth 1(7); total lower jaw posterior canine teeth 1(1), 2(6); precaudal vertebrae 10(7); total vertebrae 31(3), 32(4). Lateral line with no paired pores, extending to below level of 9th(l), 10th(6), or 11th(1) dorsal-fin spine. Dorsal fin notched seven-ninths(6) length of first segmented dorsal-fin ray. Data for the holotype are given in Table 2.

Color Pattern: In preservative, body dark brown with 7 or 8 pale pinstripes, mid-lateral stripe with series of 2–6 pale enlargements (spots) along its length; irregular row of numerous light spots dorsal to dorsalmost pinstripe; stripes and dorsal row of spots end posteriorly below level of 7th to 10th segmented dorsal-fin ray, anterior to area of alternating pale and dark irregular bars that extends to caudal-fin base. Mid-lateral stripe and second stripe above it extend anteriorly on head to posterior margin of orbit. Top of head and cheeks as dark as body or considerably lighter; underside of head less dusky than dorsal surface of head; light area present along lower lip. Pectoral-fin base with prominent light stripe; irregular light markings may be present dorsal to pectoral-fin base stripe. Pectoral and caudal fins with dusky pigment along rays, membranes immaculate. Anal fin dusky with indistinct light basal stripe. Dorsal fin dusky at base and along proximal half of rays; diffuse light stripe may interrupt dusky basal area. Pelvic fins unmarked 01 faintly pigmented proximally.

Color transparencies of specimens from the Moluccas and the Solomon Islands show the following: ground color chocolate-brown; pinstripes on head and body, and pectoral-fin base stripe brilliant white; area around mouth and underside of head yellow; light irregular areas posteriorly on body yellow interspersed with brown. Fins clear.

SEXUAL DIMORPHISM.—We found no significant differences in meristic or morphometric characters between the sexes.

GEOGRAPHICAL VARIATION.—Specimens from the Moluccas have lower means for counts of segmented dorsal-fin and anal-fin rays, caudal vertebrae, dentary teeth, epipleural ribs, and gill rakers than do specimens from the Solomon Islands (Table 11).

RELATIONSHIPS.—Ecsenius pictus belongs to the yaeyamaensis species group, which is characterized by a deeply notched dorsal fin and low counts of vertebrae and vertical fin rays. E. pictus does not easily fit into any of the three subgroups of the yaeyamaensis group; it does not have the reduced thirteenth dorsal-fin spine or long lateral line typical of the oculus subgroup, nor does it have the short nasal cirri characteristic of the prooculis subgroup. The pectoral-fin base of E. pictus has a distinct pale stripe, whereas the species of the yaeyamaensis subgroup have dark stripes or marks on the pectoral-fin base. The distinctive color pattern of E. pictus is also quite unlike that of any of the other species of the yaeyamaensis group. We, therefore, consider E. pictus to represent a fourth subgroup, the pictus subgroup, within the yaeyamaensis group of species.

MATERIAL.—New Britain: AM 17503-001 (1 specimen: 27.2), BPBM 15719 (4:23.0–36.0).

Ecsenius pictus at Waitii bay, Wakatobi National Park, 2015

Ecsenius pictus, known commonly as the white-lined comb-tooth in Indonesia and the pictus blenny in Micronesia, is a species of combtooth blenny family Blenniidae.

The white-lined comb-tooth is found in coral reefs in the central Indo-Pacific area and especially in Indonesia, Philippines and Solomon Islands.

It can reach a maximum length of 5 cm.

Blennies in this species feed primarily off of plants, including benthic algae and weeds, and are commercial aquarium fish. The specific name "pictus" means "painted" in Latin, and refers to the species' unusual colour pattern.