Blenniella interrupta (Bleeker, 1857)
Dashed-line blenny
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies), subfamily: Salariinae
Max. size:  6 cm SL (male/unsexed); 5.1 cm SL (female)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 2 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Taiwan to Indonesia and Efate, New Hebrides (Vanuatu).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18-21; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 19-22; Vertebrae: 37-40. Dorsal fin XII-XIV, 18-21, notched between spinous and segmented-ray portions; anal fin II, 19-22; pectoral rays 12-15; pelvic fin I, 3. Vertebrae 11-12 + 26-28. Orbital cirrus simple filamentous; nasal cirri short and simple to palmate with 2-6 branches; nape with cirri. Lateral line, continuous anterodorsally below dorsal spines from 4th to 10th, disconnected posteroventrally up to below dorsal spine 7-8th to 12-13th. Mandibular pores 4-6 Lips margin entire. Occipital crest present only in males, and only 0.7 mm or lower. Meristic characters slightly vary geographically, increasing from north to south (Ref. 9962). Body depth at anal-fin origin 5.3-6.0 in SL. Male grey to dark brown with longitudinal rows of blue dashes. Female pale grey with dark horizontal dashes and vertical dark A/H-shaped bars; dorsal and caudal fins spotted (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Found solitary or groups (Ref. 90102) near-shore rocky areas, including tide pools and at depths usually less than 1 meter (Ref. 9962). 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
Country info:  Museum: Babuyan Is., Maybag Is., USNM 317887. Fuga Is., USNM 317884. Luzon: Santa Ana, USNM 309363; Maculabo, USNM 138316; Batan Is., USNM 138314; near Daet, USNM 138317; Nasugbu, CAS-SU 38251, 128433; Gubat Bay, USNM 291679; Sombrero Is., USNM 296087, 296122. Mindoro, Sablayan, USNM 320102. Panay, Nogas Point, USNM 122501, 139678. Mactan Is., USNM 138313. Negros, Bais Bay, USNM 296031. Dumaguete, CAS-SU 28431. Bonbonon Point, USNM 220914. Maloh, USNM 295128. Siquijor Is., USNM 293997. Mindanao, Kolambugan, CAS-SU 38252 (Ref. 9962). Also Ref. 90102.


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