Ecsenius oculus Springer, 1971
Ocular blenny
Coral blenny
Ecsenius oculus
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies), subfamily: Salariinae
Max. size:  7 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 4 - 15 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: definitely known only from southern Ryukyu Islands, southern Taiwan, and the Philippines (Ref. 5296) and Papua New Guinea (Ref. 6192).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-15; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 14-17. Anterior nostril with a cirrus on posterior margin only. three or more pairs of dark, round spots with pale margins on sides of body.
Biology:  Found in lagoons to 15 m deep (Ref. 90102). Common around coral reefs. Adults manifest both sexual and geographic variation. 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: 25 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Outside distributional range, occurrence needs verification.


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