| Family: |
Chaenopsidae (Pike-, tube- and flagblennies) |
| Max. size: |
2.43 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; marine; depth range 1 - 15 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Atlantic: Lesser Antilles, windward chain, from Dominica south to Grenada and Tobago. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 19-21; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-13; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 19-21. This species is distinguished by the following charactersL an orbital cirrus and a red banner; TP territorial males found in holes with a black head and blackened anterior dorsal fin with a distal red band over a narrow white band and a thin white margin, red band extending posteriorly to 5th-7th spinous membrane, when erected, curved down at front in displaying TP, with a narrow anterior flap variably present along first spine; the first 10 dorsal-fin spines are relatively short and about equal-length, with first spine reaching to 5–6th spine base when adpressed, about half of HL, 12-14% SL. Colouration: dark-shaded and pale TP with a red-banded dorsal fin, with irregular rows of larger dark spots along the membranes of mid and posterior spinous-dorsal fin, the lower operculum and branchiostegal membranes with prominent thin white lines alternating with wider dark bands (= banded-operculum group of 3 spp.), along anterior lateral midline with a variable-length row of small dark spots, along anterior upper body, no row of dark spots; transitional males with variably elongated anterior dorsal-fin spines with a distal red band over reticulated brown to orange bands on the first three membranes.
The IP with elongated first two dorsal-fin spines, often with slightly orange-tipped membranes, the first spine reaching to base of 6-8th spine base when adpressed, second slightly shorter, third about 1/2 of first (earlier IP and juvenile with less elongate spines). Colouration: live colors include red, orange, and pink; cranial pattern with undeveloped bands 1 and 2, a red V-shaped band 3, an inconspicuous pale band 4, and band 5 a short red segment; the red V-shape connects to red midline spot and red inner ends of band 4 and band 5 to form an X-shape; IP head spots are usually full
complement, can form opercular lines; melanophores near pectoral-fin base typically form a long, thin, slightly oblique bar, often followed by one or more spots (Ref. 125603). |
| Biology: |
The reported depth range is from 1–15 m. Photographs show dark males in holes in both live and dead corals, of many species and of different morphologies, including holes embedded among encrusting sponges. IP fish perch on all substrates, living and dead, and are often found on sponges (Ref. 125603). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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