Salarias fasciatus (Bloch, 1786)
Jewelled blenny
photo by Muséum-Aquarium de Nancy/B. Alenda

Family:  Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies), subfamily: Salariinae
Max. size:  14 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 8 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18-20; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 19-21. Numerous pale spots, dark streaks anteriorly, and several dusky bands (Ref. 4404).
Biology:  Adults inhabit reef flats as well as shallow lagoon and seaward reefs. Also found in estuarine areas with algae-rich rubble patches on reef flats and slopes. Intertidal to a few meters depth (Ref. 48636). Usually found in areas of mixed coral, sand, and rubble (Ref. 9710). Found solitary in weedy areas on rocks and coral outcrops (Ref. 90102). Feed by scraping off algae (Ref. 1602). 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). Neither fang nor venom gland is present (Ref. 57406). Also Ref. 58652.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 27 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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