Blue Dashed Rockskipper

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).

Oviparous, distinct pairing (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 12 - 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18 - 21; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 20 - 21; Vertebrae: 37 - 39

Common on exposed outer intertidal reef flats, in areas with numerous cracks and holes (Ref. 37816). Prefers clear, subtidal, fully marine waters near rocky or coral reefs; also often collected in tidepools (Ref. 9962). Feeds on filamentous algae and associated minute invertebrates, e.g., foraminiferans, ostracods, copepods, and gastropods (Ref. 37816).

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).

Blenniella paula, the blue-dashed rockskipper, is a species of combtooth blenny found in coral reefs in the western Pacific ocean.