Cirripectes vanderbilti (Fowler, 1938)
Scarface blenny
Cirripectes vanderbilti
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies), subfamily: Salariinae
Max. size:  10 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 10 m
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific: Hawaiian and Johnston islands. Has been confused with the closely related species Cirripectes variolosus (Ref. 583).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-15; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 15-16; Vertebrae: 30-31. Diagnosis: Dorsal fin XII, 14, membrane attached to caudal fin, with deep notch above last spine, first spine slightly higher than second; anal fin II, 15; pectoral rays 15; pelvic fin I, 4; caudal fin procurrent rays 10-12. Vertebrae 10 + 20. LL, without scales but with scalelike flaps; LL tubes 0-5, canal ends below 7th dorsal ray and caudal-fin base. Lower lip smooth mesially, plicate laterally. Upper lip crenulae 42-54. Gill rakers 23-30. Cephalic pore system complex; midsnout pores present. Cirri, supraorbital 9-22, nasal 7-23; nuchal 31-42, in 2 groups with ventralmost cirri borne on small nuchal flap. Adults with brown body; red spots or narrow lines on snout and around the eye; black iris with yellow-ringed pupil and an outer bright reddish orange ring (Ref. 529).
Biology:  Benthic in coral and rock (Ref. 58302). The most common blenny on shallow reefs. Adults feed on benthic algae and detritus (Ref. 3921). 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


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