Istiblennius lineatus (Valenciennes, 1836)
Lined rockskipper
photo by Wirtz, P.

Family:  Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies), subfamily: Salariinae
Max. size:  15 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 3 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Laccadive Islands and Maldives to MangarĂ©va, Gambier Islands. Western Central Pacific: Guam (Ref. 35721).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 22-25; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 23-25. Color dusky, greenish with dusky lines. Males with crest and dorsal with alternate dark and pale oblique lines (Ref. 48636). Living specimens may exhibit a complex facial pattern similar to, but not quite as intricate as, that of Entomacrodus niuafoouensis, and barely discernable parallel pinstripes on their sides.
Biology:  Adults occur in the intertidal zone of rocky shores, rocky reef flats (Ref. 9710), including rock pools, harbors and mangrove zones (Ref. 48636). They graze algae on rocks by groups (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).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 27 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Museum: Batanes Is., USNM 226735, 226740, 226763, 226764, 226766, 226713. Babuyan Is., USNM 320101. Cabagan I., Leyte, USNM 137800. Liloan Pt., Cebu, USNM 296069. Mactan I., USNM 137799. Maloh, Negros I., USNM 303679. Maricaban I., USNM 137797. Nogas Pt., Panay, USNM 137803. Pilas I., USNM 137801. Sablayan, Mindoro, USNM 137802. Simaluc I., USNM 137798. Siquijor I., USNM 296065 (Ref. 9962).


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