Cirripectes alleni Williams, 1993
Kimberley blenny

Family:  Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies), subfamily: Salariinae
Max. size:  6.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 15 m
Distribution:  Eastern Indian Ocean: northwestern Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-15; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 15-16; Vertebrae: 29-30. Description: Dorsal fin XI-XIII, 14-15, incised above last spine, male first spine filamentous, higher than 2nd spine; anal fin II, 15-16; pectoral rays 14-16 (in general for the genus); pelvic fin I, 3-4; caudal fin procurrent rays 12. Vertebrae 9-10 + 20; last pleural rib on 11th, last epipleural rib on 15-17th vertebral centrum. Without scales and scalelike flaps. LL tubes 1-5, series ends below dorsal fin rays 1-5. Iris inner ring yellow, outer ring red, middle black. Cirri, nuchal 23-30, supraorbital 5-9, nasal 8-20. Nuchal cirri in 4 groups, dorsalmost cirri some not connected at their bases, with nuchal flap bearing the ventralmost groups. Simple cephalic sensory pore system. Body with horizontal stripe from eye to middle caudal-fin rays, brown (Ref. 10700).
Biology:  Adults occur in coral and coral rock reefs at 1-15 m (Ref. 10700). Found in turbid coral reefs. Almost exclusively benthic (Ref. 36661). 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: 09 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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