Blue Spotted Blenny

Diagnosis: Dorsal fin XII-XIV, 19-22, notched between spinous and segmented-ray portions; anal fin II-III, 20-23 (rarely 23); pectoral rays 12-15 (usually 14); pelvic fin I, 3; caudal fin procurrent rays 10-16, segmented rays 13. Vertebrae 10-12 + 26-29. Last pleural rib on 11-13th vertebrae. Orbital cirrus simple filamentous; nasal cirri short and simple to palmate with 2-7 branches; nape without cirri. Lateral line, continuous anterodorsally below dorsal spines from 6-7th to 10th, disconnected posteroventrally up to below dorsal spine 9-13th. Mandibular pores 3-7 Lips margin entire. Occipital crest present, higher in males (Ref. 9962). Body depth at anal-fin origin 5.8-7.3 in SL. Male crest yellow; body greyish, shading ventrally to white, with 9 brown or olive vertical bars on side, and some horizontal streaks on middle of body (Ref. 90102). Females have numerous longitudinal pinstripes on their sides and black specks on their fins while males have dark patches and small blue spots on their sides (Ref. 37816).

Distinct pairing (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 12 - 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19 - 22; Anal spines: 2 - 3; Analsoft rays: 20 - 23; Vertebrae: 37 - 40

Occurs in exposed shallow shores, 0-3 m deep (Ref. 90102).

Adults inhabit exposed shallow shores (0-3 m) and often found in tidepools (Ref. 90102). 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).