Exallias brevis (Kner, 1868)
Leopard blenny
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies), subfamily: Salariinae
Max. size:  14.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 20 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to Sodwana Bay, South Africa (Ref. 4404) and east to the Hawaiian, Marquesan, and Society islands, north to the Ryukyu and Bonin islands, south to New Caledonia and Rapa.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-13; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 14-15. Numerous papillae on the upper lip, smaller and more closely spaced spots. Nuchal cirri: 30 - 36.
Biology:  Adults occur on clear coastal reefs, often in bays and semi-exposed habitats (Ref. 48636). Found on the seaward edge of reefs, among corals like Acropora, Pocillopora, Seriatopora, Porites, and Millepora where they feed on coral tissues (Ref. 1602). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Males prepare nesting sites by overgrazing a patch of coral (Ref. 9710). 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 reported taken from Ref. 30874.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 27 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Recorded from Lanuza Bay (Ref. 104756). Also Ref. 1602, 121724.


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.