Ecsenius melarchus McKinney & Springer, 1976
Yellow-eyed comb-tooth
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies), subfamily: Salariinae
Max. size:  6.2 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 31 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Philippines, Indonesia, and Sabah, Malaysia.
Diagnosis:  A pale greenish species with bright yellow or golden ring around the eye, silvery line with orange below from under the eye to top of the pectoral fin base and a black spot around the anus (Ref. 48636).
Biology:  Adults inhabit coastal reefs and on deep lagoon bommies. They occur frequently at depths less than 15 m. In small groups in shallow depths on large sponges or brain corals (Ref. 48636). 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.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Museum: Palawan, northern end of Rita Island, Ulugan Bay, USNM 222137 (Ref. 5296). Also Ref. 90102.


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