click for previous page

3532 Bony Fishes

Suborder BLENNIOIDEI

TRIPTERYGIIDAE
Triplefins
by J.T. Williams and R. Fricke

D iagnostic characters: Small, slender fishes (seldom longer than 5 cm). Cirri often present on top of
eye and on rim of anterior nostril. Upper and lower jaws each with broad band of conical teeth.
Three well-defined dorsal fins, the first with III to X (III or IV in the area) spines, the second with
VIII to XXVI spines, the third with 7 to 17 segmented rays; last dorsal-fin spine and first segmented
ray borne on separate pterygiophores; anal fin with 0 to II spines and 14 to 32 segmented rays; caudal fin
with 13 segmented rays, 9 of which are branched; pelvic fins with 2 (3 in Lepidoblennius) simple
segmented rays and I embedded spine, the fin inserted anterior to pectoral-fin base. Ctenoid
(cycloid in 1 species of Lepidoblennius) scales on body. Colour: highly variable, often showing sexual
dichromatism; frequently with irregular bars or a mottled pattern; males may have reddish pigmentation
and/or black areas on head and body, females usually mottled with brown or green.
3 dorsal fins

ctenoid scales

branched
anterior insertion caudal-fin
of pelvic fins rays

Habitat, biology, and fisheries: Benthic, cryptic fishes occurring on rocky or coral substrates in shallow
water, but some species are found as deep as 550 m. They are very abundant in littoral areas, but are rarely
utilized commercially because of their small size. Of little commercial interest, but they have been found in
Indonesian fish markets.
Similar families occurring in the area
Blenniidae: body always naked (scaly in Tripterygiidae); a
single row of incisors in each jaw (Tripterygiidae with several
rows of conical teeth, at least anteriorly in jaws); dorsal fin
consisting of a single continuous fin, often deeply notched
between spinous and segmented rays (3 clearly defined
dorsal fins in Tripterygiidae); dorsal fin with more, a few Blenniidae
species with 0 to 3 less, segmented than spinous rays (more
spines than rays in Tripterygiidae).
Clinidae: 1 or 2 clearly defined dorsal fins (3 clearly defined
dorsal fins in Tripterygiidae); caudal-fin rays unbranched
(middle rays branched in Tripterygiidae).
Eleotridae and Gobiidae: 2 dorsal fins, the first spinous, the
second with I spine and 5 to 37 segmented rays. Gobiidae
with pelvic fins united or separate. Clinidae

Eleotridae Gobiidae
Perciformes: Blennioidei: Tripterygiidae 3533

Key to the genera of Tripterygiidae occurring in the area

1a. First dorsal fin with IV spines (Fig. 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Norfolkia
1b. First dorsal fin with III spines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 2

2a. Anal fin without spines; pelvic fins with 3 segmented rays (third connected to second)
(Fig. 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lepidoblennius
2b. Anal fin with I small reduced spine; pelvic fins with 2 segmented rays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 3
2c. Anal fin with II small spines (partially fused in some Springerichthys); pelvic fins with 2
segmented rays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 5
IV dorsal-fin
spines

3 segmented no spines
rays
Fig. 1 Norfolkia Fig. 2 Lepidoblennius

3a. Lateral line discontinuous, anterior lateral line discontinuous

portion with tubed scales following
contour of back to about midbody,
then separated by about 2 scale
rows from midlateral row of notched
scales (Fig. 3) . . . . . . . . . . . Enneapterygius
3b. Lateral line continuous, sloping gen-
tly downward behind pectoral fins,
with or without notched scales con- Fig. 3 Enneapterygius
tinuing posteriorly in same series as
tubed lateral-line scales . . . . . . . . . . . ® 4

4a. Lower jaw protruding anteriorly beyond upper jaw with mouth closed (Fig. 4) . . . . . . . . . . . Ucla
4b. Lower jaw not protruding anteriorly beyond upper jaw with mouth closed (Fig. 5) . . . Helcogramma
lower jaw
protruding

Fig. 4 Ucla Fig. 5 Helcogramma

5a. Belly completely scaly (Fig. 6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ceratobregma

5b. Belly scaly over posterior half, naked anteriorly (Fig. 7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Springerichthys

Fig. 6 Ceratobregma Fig. 7 Springerichthys

3534 Bony Fishes

List of species occurring in the area

Ceratobregma acanthops (Whitley, 1965)
Ceratobregma helenae Holleman, 1987
Enneapterygius atriceps (Jenkins, 1903)
Enneapterygius atrogulare (Günther, 1873)
Enneapterygius bahasa Fricke, 1997
Enneapterygius clea Fricke, 1997
Enneapterygius elegans (Peters, 1877)
Enneapterygius fasciatus (Weber, 1909)
Enneapterygius flavoccipitis Shen and Wu, 1994
Enneapterygius fuscoventer Fricke, 1994
Enneapterygius gracilis Fricke, 1994
Enneapterygius hemimelas (Kner and Steindachner, 1866)
Enneapterygius howensis Fricke, 1997
Enneapterygius larsonae Fricke, 1994
Enneapterygius mirabilis Fricke, 1994
Enneapterygius namarrgon Fricke, 1997
Enneapterygius nanus (Schultz in Schultz et al., 1960)
Enneapterygius niger Fricke, 1994
Enneapterygius nigricauda Fricke, 1997
Enneapterygius ornatus Fricke, 1997
Enneapterygius pallidoserialis Fricke, 1997
Enneapterygius paucifasciatus Fricke, 1994
Enneapterygius philippinus (Peters, 1869)
Enneapterygius pyramis Fricke, 1994
Enneapterygius randalli Fricke, 1997
Enneapterygius rhabdotus Fricke, 1994
Enneapterygius rhothion Fricke, 1997
Enneapterygius rubicauda Shen and Wu, 1994
Enneapterygius rufopileus (Waite, 1904)
Enneapterygius signicauda Fricke, 1997
Enneapterygius similis Fricke, 1997
Enneapterygius triserialis Fricke, 1994
Enneapterygius tutuilae Jordan and Seale, 1906
Enneapterygius unimaculatus Fricke, 1994
Enneapterygius vexillarius Fowler, 1946
Enneapterygius williamsi Fricke, 1997
Enneapterygius ziegleri Fricke, 1994
Helcogramma aquilum Williams and McCormick, 1990
Helcogramma capidatum Rosenblatt in Schultz, 1960
Helcogramma chica Rosenblatt in Schultz, 1960
Helcogramma ellioti (Herre, 1944)
Helcogramma fuscipectoris (Fowler, 1946)
Helcogramma gymnauchen (Weber, 1909)
Helcogramma hudsoni (Jordan and Seale, 1906)
Helcogramma inclinatum (Fowler, 1946)
Helcogramma kranos Fricke, 1997
Helcogramma novaecaledoniae Fricke, 1994
Helcogramma obtusirostre (Klunzinger, 1871)
Helcogramma rhinoceros Hansen, 1986
Helcogramma solorensis Fricke, 1997
Helcogramma springeri Hansen, 1986
Helcogramma striatum Hansen, 1986
Helcogramma trigloides Fricke, 1997
Helcogramma vulcanum Randall and Clark, 1993
Lepidoblennius haplodactylus Steindachner, 1867
Perciformes: Blennioidei: Tripterygiidae 3535

Norfolkia brachylepis (Schultz, 1960)

Norfolkia squamiceps (McCulloch and Waite, 1916)
Norfolkia thomasi Whitley, 1964
Springerichthys kulbickii (Fricke and Randall, 1994)
Ucla xenogrammus Holleman, 1993

References
Fricke, R. 1994. Tripterygiid fishes of Australia, New Zealand and the Southwest Pacific Ocean, with descriptions of
2 new genera and 16 new species (Teleostei). Theses Zoologicae, (24):585 p.
Fricke, R. 1997. Tripterygiid fishes of the western and central Pacific, with descriptions of 15 new species, including
an annotated checklist of world Tripterygiidae (Teleostei). Theses Zoologicae, (29):607 p.
Shen, S.C. and K.-Y. Wu. 1994. A revision of the tripterygiid fishes from coastal waters of Taiwan with descriptions of
two new genera and five new species. Acta Zool. Taiwanica, 5(2):1-32.
Williams, J.T., and C.J. McCormick. 1990. Two new species of the genus Helcogramma (Tripterygiidae) from the
western Pacific. Copeia, 1990(4):1020-1030.
3536 Bony Fishes

CLINIDAE
Weedfishes
by H.K. Larson

D iagnostic characters: Elongate, often highly compressed, small blennioid fishes (size to about
60 cm), with cycloid scales (often very small and embedded). Cirri usually present above eye, but
absent from nape; cirri may be present on tips of dorsal-fin spines and rays. Eye medium sized,
laterally placed, usually with tufted cirri on dorsal surface. Mouth large, extending back to rear of eye.
Teeth small, may be present on vomer and palatines. Anterior nostril may have cirri or tentacle present.
All fin rays simple (unbranched). Dorsal fin always with more spines than soft rays; continuous or
divided anteriorly, the first portion (if present) with III spines, the second (long) portion with XXVI
to XXIX spines and 1 to 8 soft rays. Anal fin with II spines and 18 to 26 soft rays. Caudal fin rounded to
oval. Pectoral-fin rays 10 to 13. Pelvic fins with I spine and 3 soft rays (last ray may be considerably
reduced). Scales very small, always cycloid; head without scales. Lateral-line scales 14 to 34; lateral-line
tubes embedded in skin; rows of lateral-line pores present on head. Males with intromittent organ;
variably developed genital flaps and valves present around organ. Branchiostegal rays 6. Vertebrae 13-35
+ 21-63. Supraneural bones 0 to 17. Ventral hypural plate fused to urostyle. Cord-like ligament extends
from each ceratohyal to anterior end of dentary. Colour: usually brown, yellow, and green, often with
variable spots and mottling (camouflage patterns).
dorsal-fin spines outnumbering dorsal-fin rays

segmented rays
cirrus

small cycloid scales

on body
caudal-fin rays always unbranched
Springeratus
Habitat, biology and fisheries: At least 20 genera in the family, which is divided into 3 tribes. Clinids live
inshore, such as in estuaries or rocky pools, often associated with algae or seagrasses, which they can
resemble. Males usually have an intromittent organ, and most species appear to be viviparous. Clinids do
not have any commercial importance in the area, but may be taken incidentally.

Similar families occurring in the area

Blenniidae: body without scales; dorsal fin continuous, with fewer than XX (flexible) spines and 12 or more
soft rays; cirri may be present above eyes and on nape; caudal-fin rays branched or simple.
Tripterygiidae: 3 separate dorsal fins present, 2 with flexible spines and 1 fin with soft rays; scales always
present, ctenoid and not embedded; cirri may be present on eye; caudal-fin rays branched.
spines segmented rays outnumbering spines
3 dorsal fins

no scales
Blenniidae Tripterygiidae
Perciformes: Blennioidei: Clinidae 3537

Gobiidae: 1 or 2 dorsal fins, with V to X flexible spines and 5 to 37 soft rays; anal fin with I (or no) flexible
spine; fin rays usually branched; no lateral line; a single tentacle may be present on eye, but no branched
cirri on head.
Eleotridae: 1 or 2 dorsal fins, with VI to X flexible spines and 6 to 15 soft rays; anal fin with I (or none) flexible
spine; fin rays usually branched; no tentacle or cirri on eye or nape; no lateral line.

Gobiidae Eleotridae

Key to the genera of Clinidae occurring in the area dorsal-fin dorsal-fin

membrane joined membrane joined to
1a. Dorsal fin begins over middle of to caudal peduncle caudal-fin base
eye, first fin very tall; anterior
scales on body not overlapping;
caudal peduncle long and narrow,
dorsal-fin membrane joins onto
caudal peduncle (Fig. 1a) . . . . . . . Cristiceps
1b. Dorsal fin begins over or behind
rear edge of eye; anterior scales
overlapping; caudal peduncle rela-
tively short, dorsal-fin membrane a) b)
joins onto caudal fin or caudal-fin Fig. 1
base (Fig. 1b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 2

2a. Palatine teeth present; anterior lateral-line scales with dorsal and ventral pores present,
in short tubes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Springeratus
2b. Palatine teeth absent; anterior lateral-line scales usually with posterior pores, rarely with
dorsal and ventral pores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heteroclinus

List of species occurring in the area

Cristiceps aurantiacus Castelnau, 1879
Cristiceps australis Valenciennes, 1836
Heteroclinus fasciatus (Macleay, 1881)
Heteroclinus sp. (at least one undescribed species)
Springeratus xanthosoma (Bleeker, 1857)
Springeratus sp. (1 or more undescribed species)

Reference
Hoese, D.F., D.F. Rennis, and M.F. Gomon. 1994. Family Clinidae. In The fishes of Australian’s south coast, edited by
M.F. Gomon, J.C.M. Glover, and R.H. Kuiter. Adelaide, The Flora and Fauna of South Australia Handbooks
Committee, pp. 741-775.
3538 Bony Fishes

BLENNIIDAE
Blennies (combtooth and sabertooth blennies)
by V.G. Springer

D iagnostic characters: Small, scaleless, often elongate fishes (Xiphasia, with 2 eel-like species,
attaining about 53.2 cm, but most species much less than 15 cm). Head often with cirri on eyes,
nasal openings, nape, or cheeks. Gill openings continuous across lower surface of head or
restricted to small opening on each side of head. Upper jaw not protrusible. Teeth incisor-like, in
single row in each jaw, often very fine and loosely attached; enlarged canine tooth often present
posteriorly on each side of lower and, sometimes, upper jaw; teeth sometimes present on vomer, never
on palatines or pterygoids. All fin spines flexible; all soft rays, except those of caudal fin of some
species, simple (unbranched). Dorsal fin with more segmented rays than spines in all but few species,
in which rays vary from equal in number to up to 2 less than number of spines, fin continuous or notched,
sometimes deeply, between spines and rays. Anal fin with II spines, often indistinguishable (first spine
frequently reduced, not visible in females), spines of males sometimes imbedded in fleshy, bulbous
swellings. Segmented caudal-fin rays 10 to 14, rarely more than 9 branched, often all unbranched. Pelvic
fins in advance of pectoral fins, pelvic-fin spine not visible externally, soft rays fewer than 5,
sometimes deformed or absent. Colour: very variable, dull to brilliant, full spectrum; often mottled, with
irregular vertical bands or stripes, some species almost uniform.
spines segmented dorsal-fin rays outnumbering spines

no scales
(after Springer and Williams, 1994)

Habitat, biology, and fisheries: Benthic inhabitants in sea and estuaries, usually at depths much less than
20 m, mostly among rocky, oyster, or coral reefs, often in tidepools; a few species in fresh-water streams,
sessile marine vegetation, or floating sargassum. Some tidepool species leave water at night; adult Xiphasia
and larval stages of other species occasionally attracted to lights at night, larvae occasionally taken in surface
plankton tows. Commercial importance very little because of their small size; a few of the larger species of
Blenniella, Istiblennius, and Salarias occasionally appear in markets in areas with dense human popula-
tions.
Similar families occurring in the area
Clinidae: body with fine, embedded cycloid scales; scales
cyloid with radii in all fields; many more dorsal-fin spines
than segmented rays; jaw teeth in more than 1 row.
Tripterygiidae: body with ctenoid scales; dorsal-fin clearly
divided into 3 parts; many more dorsal-fin spines than rays;
jaw teeth in more than 1 row.
Gobiidae, Eleotridae: body usually scaly; pelvic fins usually
with I spine and 5 soft rays; dorsal fin in 2 well-separated Clinidae
sections, the spinous portion with less than VIII spines, the
segmented ray portion with I spine at beginning.

Tripterygiidae Gobiidae
Perciformes: Blennioidei: Blenniidae 3539

Key to the genera of Blenniidae occurring in the area (not valid for use in other areas)
1a. All segmented caudal-fin rays simple (Fig. 1a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 2
1b. Several segmented caudal-fin rays forked (Fig. 1b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 20

2a. Gill opening restricted to side of head (Fig. 2a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 3

2b. Gill opening continuous across ventral surface of head (Fig. 2b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 14

gill opening gill opening

b) on side of extends to
a) a) ventral surface b)
head only
Fig. 1 caudal fin Fig. 2

3a. Cirri present on rims of both anterior and posterior nostrils (Fig. 3a); body covered with
pattern of small, dark spots (no bands, stripes, or complex markings) . . . . . . . . . Laiphognathus
3b. Cirri absent from both nostrils, or present only on rim of posterior nostril, but not both
(Fig. 3b; nostrils may open at end of tubes); body colour pattern various, but never
consisting only of dark spots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 4

4a. Body ribbon- or eel-like; anal-fin elements more than 95; segmented caudal-fin rays 10;
origin of dorsal fin over orbits in adults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Xiphasia
4b. Body not ribbon- or eel-like; anal-fin elements fewer than 60; segmented caudal-fin rays
11 to 13; origin of dorsal fin distinctly behind or over posterior rim of orbits in adults . . . . . . . ® 5

5a. Canine teeth in lower jaw with deep groove along anterior surface (Fig. 4a); lower margin
of gill opening entirely above pectoral-fin base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meiacanthus
5b. Canine teeth in lower jaw without deep groove along anterior surface (Fig. 4b); lower
margin of gill opening above or opposite pectoral-fin base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 6
canine tooth no groove
with groove

incisor-like
teeth

a) b) a) b)
Fig. 3 Fig. 4 teeth in lower jaw

6a. Segmented caudal-fin rays 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 7

6b. Segmented caudal-fin rays 13 (uncommonly 12, 14, or 15) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 9

7a. Pectoral-fin rays 11 to 13 (typically 12); lateral line absent; dorsal-fin spines VI to XII;
segmented dorsal-fin rays 25 to 39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Plagiotremus
7b. Pectoral-fin rays 13 to 16; lateral line present, extending posteriorly along dorsal body
contour at least to beneath vertical from base of last dorsal-fin spine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 8

8a. Lower margin of gill opening entirely above pectoral-fin base; segmented anal-fin rays
14 to 21; segmented dorsal-fin rays 14 to 21; cirrus on eye present or absent . . . . . . Petroscirtes
8b. Lower margin of gill opening extending ventrally to or below point opposite base of third
from dorsalmost ray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aspidontus
3540 Bony Fishes

9a. Segmented pelvic-fin rays 3; segmented dorsal-fin rays 14 or 15; total dorsal-fin ele-
ments 26 to 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phenablennius
9b. Segmented pelvic-fin rays 2; segmented dorsal-fin rays 15 to 27; total dorsal-fin ele-
ments 27 to 35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 10

10a. Pectoral-fin rays 14 to 17; dorsal-fin spines VII to X (rarely X); dorsal and anal fins
broadly confluent with caudal fin (scarcely any separation of fins; Fig. 5a) . . . . . . . . Enchelyurus
10b. Pectoral-fin rays 12 to 14 (usually 13); dorsal-fin spines X to XIV (rarely X); dorsal and
anal fins varying from completely separate from caudal fin to attached to caudal fin only
basally (Fig. 5b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 11

11a. Interorbital broad, width equal to or greater than eye diameter; interorbital pores 4 (Fig. 6) . . Haptogenys
11b. Interorbital narrow, width much narrower than eye diameter; interorbital pores 3 or 4 . . . . . . ® 12

12a. Lower margin of gill opening opposite seventh to tenth from dorsalmost pectoral-fin ray;
interorbital pores 4 (rarely 3); mandibular pores 3 (Fig. 6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Omox
12b. Lower margin of gill opening varying from dorsal to pectoral-fin base to opposite sixth
from dorsalmost pectoral-fin ray; interorbital pores 2 to 4 (3 in more than 90% of
specimens); mandibular pores 2 or 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 13

13a. Mandibular pores 2; no fleshy, blade-like crest on top of head; total dorsal-fin elements
28 to 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Parenchelyurus
13b. Mandibular pores 3; fleshy, blade-like crest present (Fig. 7) or absent on top of head;
total dorsal-fin elements 29 to 35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Omobranchus

14a. Orbital cirrus absent; segmented caudal-fin rays simple (Fig. 1a), modally 13 or 14 . . . . . Ecsenius
14b. Orbital cirrus present (absent in Stanulus seychellensis); segmented caudal-fin rays
simple or branched (Fig. 1b), modally 11 to 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 15
3-4 interorbial
pores fleshy crest

5 mandibular
a) b) pores
Fig. 5 Fig. 6 Fig. 7

15a. Total upper- and lower-jaw teeth each more than 75 (usually more than 100), loosely
attached to gums; attaining at least 7.5 cm standard length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 16
15b. Total upper- and lower-jaw teeth each less than 50 (may be less than 30), more or less
firmly attached to jaws; attaining no more than 4 cm standard length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 18

16a. Nape cirri present; dorsal-fin spines IX to XI; apparent segmented pelvic-fin rays 2; pecto-
ral-fin rays 15 to 18 (usually 16 or 17); no fleshy, blade-like crest on top of head . . . . . . Atrosalarias
16b. Nape cirri absent; dorsal-fin spines XIII to XVII; apparent segmented pelvic-fin rays 3
or 4; pectoral-fin rays 14 or 15; fleshy, blade-like crest present (Fig. 7) or absent on top
of head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 17

17a. Prominent fleshy disc-like appendage (Fig. 8a) on ventral surface of head posterior to
lower lip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andamia
17b. No fleshy disc-like appendage on ventral surface of head (Fig. 8b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alticus
Perciformes: Blennioidei: Blenniidae 3541

18a. Tiny simple cirrus present only on rim of anterior nostril; segmented caudal-fin rays 12 . . Litobranchus
18b. Numerous prominent cirri on rims of anterior and posterior nostrils (Fig. 9); segmented
caudal-fin rays 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 19

19a. Pectoral-fin rays 13; cirri present in interorbital area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Medusablennius

19b. Pectoral-fin rays 14; no cirri in interorbital area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cirrisalarias

20a. Cirri present on cheek near preopercular sensory pores (Fig. 10); raised large, dark spot
on top of head surrounding dorsal-fin origin (Fig. 10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crossosalarias
20b. No cirri present on cheek; no dark spot on top of head surrounding dorsal-fin origin . . . . . . ® 21

disc spot

cirri
a) Andamia b) Alticus

Fig. 8 ventral view of head Fig. 9 snout region Fig. 10

21a. Nape cirri numerous, comb-like, extending more or less continuously across nape
(Fig. 11a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 22
21b. Nape cirri, if present, simple filament, flap-like, or in small patch on each side of nape,
variably well removed from or adjacent to midline of head (Fig. 11b, c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 23

comb-like filamentous
cirri cirri

flap-like
cirri

a) b) c)
Fig. 11 dorsal view of head

22a. Posterior dentary canines absent; total upper-jaw teeth about 3 or 4 times as many as
total lower-jaw teeth; dorsal fin with XII spines and 12 or 13 segmented rays; head, body,
and fins covered with dark spots and/or rosettes of dark spots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exallias
22b. Posterior dentary canines present (Fig. 4b); total upper-jaw teeth less than twice as many as
total lower-jaw teeth; dorsal fin with XII spines and 13 to 17 (rarely 13) segmented rays;
colour patterns various . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cirripectes

23a. Segmented dorsal-fin rays 9 to 12; segmented anal-fin rays 10 to 13; maximum size less
than 5 cm standard length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stanulus
23b. Segmented dorsal-fin rays 13 or more; segmented anal-fin rays 14 or more; some
species attaining more than 15 cm standard length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 24

24a. Pectoral-fin rays modally 13; dark spot, much smaller than eye, on gill membrane just
anterior to each pelvic-fin base; maximum size less than 5 cm standard length . . . . . Glyptoparus
24b. Pectoral-fin rays modally 14 or 15; dark spot on gill membrane, if present, larger than
eye; some species attaining more than 15 cm standard length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 25
3542 Bony Fishes

25a. Total lower-jaw teeth less than 40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 26

25b. Total lower-jaw teeth more than 45 (more than 100 in some species) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 28

26a. Nape cirri present (small flap immediately adjacent to midline on each side of predorsal
area); dorsal-fin spines modally XIII; orbital cirrus simple or forked, often longer than eye
diameter; vomer without teeth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mimoblennius
26b. Nape cirri absent; dorsal-fin spines modally XII; orbital cirrus either short, simple filament
or branched flap; vomer with teeth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 27

27a. Orbital cirrus a simple filament; segmented dorsal-fin rays 18 to 21 . . . . . . . . . Rhabdoblennius

27b. Orbital cirrus a fringed flap; segmented dorsal-fin rays 13 to 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Parablennius

28a. Dorsal-fin spines modally XII; total lower-jaw teeth less than 55 or more than 70; terminal
anal-fin ray simple, bound by membrane to caudal peduncle (Fig. 5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 29
28b. Dorsal-fin spines modally XIII or XIV; total lower-jaw teeth more than 70; terminal
anal-fin ray simple or split to base (Fig. 12), free or bound by membrane to caudal
peduncle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 30

29a. Segmented pelvic-fin rays 2; total lower-jaw teeth more than 70; no teeth on vomer;
anterior segmented anal-fin rays often much longer than others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Salarias
29b. Apparent segmented pelvic-fin rays 3; total lower-jaw teeth less than 55; teeth on vomer;
anterior segmented anal-fin rays same length or shorter than others . . . . . . . . . Nannosalarias

30a. Pectoral-fin rays modally 15; nape cirri absent; mandibular pores 3 or 4 (Fig. 6);
branched caudal-fin rays 5 to 9; last segmented dorsal-fin ray attached by membrane to
point on caudal peduncle at or anterior to base of caudal fin (Fig. 5b) . . . . . . . . . . . Praealticus
30b. Pectoral-fin rays modally 14; nape cirri present or absent; mandibular pores 4 to 6;
branched caudal-fin rays 8 to 10; last segmented dorsal-fin ray attached by membrane
to point ranging from on caudal peduncle anterior to base of caudal fin to well out on
dorsal edge of caudal fin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 31

31a. Segmented pelvic-fin rays 4; teeth present on vomer; segmented dorsal-fin rays 13 to 18
(rarely 18); nape cirri present (absent in 1 species from Marquesas); no fleshy blade-like
crest on top of head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Entomacrodus
31b. Apparent segmented pelvic-fin rays 3 (inapparent fourth ray in only 1 species from
Philippines); no teeth on vomer; segmented dorsal-fin rays more than 17 (usually more
than 18); nape cirri present or absent; fleshy blade-like crest present or absent on top of
head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 32

32a. Mandibular pores (Fig. 6) 3 or 4; segmented cau-

dal-fin rays 14 (ventralmost very short); last anal-
fin ray bound by membrane to caudal peduncle
(Fig. 5b); dorsal-fin spines XIV (last spine may be
inconspicuous); nape cirri absent; no fleshy,
blade-like crest on top of head; orbital cirrus rela-
tively large, broad, fringed flap . . . . . . . . . . . . Paralticus
32b. Mandibular pores 5 to 7; segmented caudal-fin
rays strongly modally 13 (14 commonly in only 1
species); last anal-fin ray free (Fig. 12), rarely
bound by membrane to caudal peduncle); dorsal-
fin spines modally XIII or XIV (XIV in only 1
species; last spine may be inconsipcuous); nape
cirri present or absent; fleshy, blade-like crest pre-
sent or absent on top of head; orbital cirrus varying Fig. 12
from simple filament, to highly branched stalk, to
small fringed flap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ® 33
Perciformes: Blennioidei: Blenniidae 3543

33a. Canine teeth present posteri-

orly on dentary; orbital cirrus
a simple filament, occasion-
ally with 1 or 2 side branches,
or filament with several fine
branches at tip; fleshy, blade-
like crest present or absent
on head of males; bi-pored
bipored lateral-line
lateral-line tubes (Fig. 13) 0 Fig. 13 tubes
to 7 (rarely more than 5) . . . . Blenniella
33b. Canine teeth absent on dentary (except present in some specimens of 1 species, which
has pinnately branched orbital cirrus); orbital cirrus varying from simple filament to highly
branched stalk, to small fringed flap; fleshy, blade-like crest present on head of males;
bipored lateral-line tubes 1 to 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Istiblennius
List of species occurring in the area
Alticus arnoldorum (Curtis, 1938)
Alticus montanoi (Sauvage, 1880)
Alticus saliens (Lacepède, 1800)
Alticus sertatus (Garman, 1903)
Alticus simplicirrus Smith-Vaniz and Springer, 1971
Andamia aequipinnis (Günther, 1861)
Andamia amphibius (Walbaum, 1792)
Andamia cyclocheilus Weber, 1909
Andamia heteroptera (Bleeker, 1857)
Andamia reyi (Sauvage, 1880)
Andamia tetradactylus (Bleeker, 1858)
Aspidontus dussumieri (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1836)
Aspidontus taeniatus Quoy and Gaimard, 1834
Atrosalarias fuscus (Rüppell, 1838)
Atrosalarias hosokawai Suzuki and Senou, 1999
Blenniella bilitonensis (Bleeker, 1858)
Blenniella caudolineata (Günther, 1877)
Blenniella chrysospilos (Bleeker, 1857)
Blenniella cyanostigma (Bleeker, 1849)
Blenniella gibbifrons (Quoy and Gaimard, 1824)
Blenniella interrupta (Bleeker, 1857)
Blenniella leopardus (Fowler, 1938)
Blenniella paula (Bryan and Herre, 1903)
Blenniella periophthalmus (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1836)
Cirripectes alboapicalis (Ogilby, 1899)
Cirripectes alleni Williams, 1993
Cirripectes auritus Carlson, 1981
Cirripectes castaneus (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1836)
Cirripectes chelmonatus Williams and Maugé, 1983
Cirripectes filamentosus (Alleyne and Macleay, 1877)
Cirripectes fuscoguttatus Strasburg and Schultz, 1953
Cirripectes imitator Williams, 1985
Cirripectes jenningsi Schultz, 1943
Cirripectes perustus Smith, 1959
Cirripectes polyzona (Bleeker, 1868)
Cirripectes quagga (Fowler and Ball, 1924)
Cirripectes springeri Williams, 1988
Cirripectes stigmaticus Strasburg and Schultz, 1953
Cirripectes variolosus (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1836)
Cirripectes viriosus Williams, 1988
3544 Bony Fishes

Cirrisalarias bunares Springer, 1976

Crossosalarias macrospilos Smith-Vaniz and Springer, 1971
Ecsenius aequalis Springer, 1988
Ecsenius australianus Springer, 1988
Ecsenius axelrodi Springer, 1988
Ecsenius bandanus Springer, 1971
Ecsenius bathi Springer, 1988
Ecsenius bicolor (Day, 1888)
Ecsenius bimaculatus Springer, 1971
Ecsenius collettei Springer, 1972
Ecsenius dilemma Springer, 1988
Ecsenius fijiensis Springer, 1988
Ecsenius fourmanoiri Springer, 1972
Ecsenius isos McKinney and Springer, 1976
Ecsenius kurti Springer, 1988
Ecsenius lineatus Klausewitz, 1962
Ecsenius lividanalis Chapman and Schultz, 1952
Ecsenius mandibularis McCulloch, 1923
Ecsenius melarchus McKinney and Springer, 1971
Ecsenius midas Starck, 1969
Ecsenius monoculus Springer, 1988
Ecsenius namiyei (Jordan and Evermann, 1903)
Ecsenius oculus Springer, 1971
Ecsenius opsifrontalis Chapman and Schultz, 1952
Ecsenius pardus Springer, 1988
Ecsenius paroculus Springer, 1988
Ecsenius pictus McKinney and Springer, 1976
Ecsenius portenoyi Springer, 1988
Ecsenius prooculis Chapman and Schultz, 1952
Ecsenius randalli Springer, 1991
Ecsenius schroederi McKinney and Springer, 1976
Ecsenius sellifer Springer, 1988
Ecsenius stictus Springer, 1988
Ecsenius stigmatura Fowler in Chapman and Schultz, 1952
Ecsenius taeniatus Springer, 1988
Ecsenius tessera Springer, 1988
Ecsenius tigris Springer, 1988
Ecsenius trilineatus Springer, 1971
Ecsenius yaeyamaensis (Aoyagi, 1954)
Enchelyurus ater (Günther, 1877)
Enchelyurus flavipes Peters, 1868
Enchelyurus kraussi (Klunzinger, 1871)
Entomacrodus caudofasciatus (Regan, 1909)
Entomacrodus corneliae (Fowler, 1932)
Entomacrodus cymatobiotus Schultz and Chapman, 1960
Entomacrodus decussatus (Bleeker, 1858)
Entomacrodus epalzeocheilus (Bleeker, 1859)
Entomacrodus macrospilus Springer, 1967
Entomacrodus niuafoouensis (Fowler, 1932)
Entomacrodus randalli Springer, 1967
Entomacrodus rofeni Springer, 1967
Entomacrodus sealei Bryan and Herre, 1903
Entomacrodus stellifer Jordan and Snyder, 1902
Entomacrodus striatus (Quoy and Gaimard, 1836)
Entomacrodus thalassinus (Jordan and Seale, 1906)
Entomacrodus vermiculatus (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1836)
Exallias brevis (Kner, 1868)
Perciformes: Blennioidei: Blenniidae 3545

Glyptoparus delicatulus J.L.B. Smith, 1959

Haptogenys bipunctata (Day, 1876) (only fresh or brackish water?)
Istiblennius bellus (Günther, 1861)
Istiblennius colei (Herre, 1934)
Istiblennius dussumieri (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1836)
Istiblennius edentulus (Schneider in Bloch and Schneider, 1801)
Istiblennius lineatus (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1836)
Istiblennius meleagris (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1836)
Istiblennius muelleri (Klunzinger, 1880)
Laiphognathus multimaculatus Smith, 1955
Litobranchus fowleri (Herre, 1936)
Medusablennius chani Springer, 1966
Meiacanthus abditus Smith-Vaniz, 1987
Meiacanthus anema (Bleeker, 1852) (only fresh or brackish water?)
Meiacanthus atrodorsalis (Günther, 1877)
Meiacanthus bundoon Smith-Vaniz, 1977
Meiacanthus crinitus Smith-Vaniz, 1987
Meiacanthus ditrema Smith-Vaniz, 1976
Meiacanthus geminatus Smith-Vaniz, 1976
Meiacanthus grammistes (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1836)
Meiacanthus limbatus Smith-Vaniz, 1987
Meiacanthus lineatus (De Vis, 1884)
Meiacanthus luteus Smith-Vaniz, 1987
Meiacanthus ovalauensis (Günther, 1880)
Meiacanthus phaeus Smith-Vaniz, 1976
Meiacanthus procne Smith-Vaniz, 1976
Meiacanthus reticulatus Smith-Vaniz, 1976
Meiacanthus smithi Klausewitz, 1961
Meiacanthus tongaensis Smith-Vaniz, 1987
Meiacanthus vicinus Smith-Vaniz, 1987
Meiacanthus vittatus Smith-Vaniz, 1976
Mimoblennius atrocinctus (Regan, 1909)
Nannosalarias nativitatus (Regan, 1909)
Omobranchus anolius (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1836) (only fresh or brackish water?)
Omobranchus elongatus (Peters, 1855)
Omobranchus ferox (Herre, 1927) (only fresh or brackish water?)
Omobranchus germaini (Sauvage, 1883)
Omobranchus hikkaduwensis Bath, 1983
Omobranchus lineolatus (Kner, 1868)
Omobranchus punctatus (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1836)
Omobranchus robertsi Springer, 1981 (only fresh or brackish water?)
Omobranchus rotundiceps obliquus (Garman, 1903)
Omobranchus rotundiceps rotundiceps (Macleay, 1881)
Omobranchus smithi Visweswara Rao, 1974 (only fresh or brackish water?)
Omobranchus verticalis Springer and Gomon, 1975 (only fresh or brackish water?)
Omobranchus zebra (Bleeker, 1868) (only fresh or brackish water?)
Omox biporos Springer, 1972
Omox lupus Springer, 1981 (only fresh or brackish water?)
Parablennius tasmanianus caledoniensis Bath, 1989
Parablennius tasmanianus intermedius (Ogilby, 1915)
Parablennius thysanius (Jordan and Seale, 1907)
Paralticus amboinensis (Bleeker, 1857)
3546 Bony Fishes

Parenchelyurus hepburni (Snyder, 1980)

Parenchelyurus hyena (Whitley, 1953)
Petroscirtes breviceps (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1836)
Petroscirtes fallax Smith-Vaniz, 1976
Petroscirtes lupus De Vis, 1886
Petroscirtes marginatus Smith-Vaniz, 1976
Petroscirtes mitratus Rüppell, 1828
Petroscirtes springeri Smith-Vaniz, 1976
Petroscirtes thepassi Bleeker, 1853
Petroscirtes variabilis Cantor, 1850
Petroscirtes xestus Jordan and Seale, 1906
Phenablennius heyligeri (Bleeker, 1859) (only fresh or brackish water?)
Plagiotremus isodon Smith-Vaniz, 1976
Plagiotremus laudandus flavus Smith-Vaniz, 1976
Plagiotremus laudandus laudandus (Whitley, 1961)
Plagiotremus rhinorhynchus (Bleeker, 1852)
Plagiotremus spilistius Gill, 18657)
Praealticus bilineatus (Peters, 1868)
Praealticus caesius (Seale, 1906)
Praealticus labrovittatus Bath, 1992
Praealticus margaritatus (Kendall and Radcliffe, 1912)
Praealticus multistriatus Bath, 1992
Praealticus oortii (Bleeker, 1851)
Praealticus poptae (Fowler, 1925)
Praealticus striatus Bath, 1992
Praealticus triangulus (Chapman, 1951)
Rhabdoblennius nitidus (Günther, 1861)
Rhabdoblennius rhabdotrachelus (Fowler and Ball, 1924)
Rhabdoblennius snowi (Fowler, 1928)
Rhabdoblennius walensis (Herre, 1931)
Salarias alboguttatus Kner, 1867
Salarias ceramensis Bleeker, 1852
Salarias fasciatus (Bloch, 1786)
Salarias guttatus Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1836
Salarias obscurus Bath, 1992
Salarias patzneri Bath, 1992
Salarias ramosus Bath, 1992
Salarias segmentatus Bath and Randall, 1991
Salarias sexfilum Günther, 1861
Salarias sibogai Bath, 1992
Salarias sinuosus Snyder, 1908
Salarias undescribed species Bath
Stanulus seychellensis Smith, 1959
Stanulus talboti Springer, 1968
Xiphasia matsubarai Okada and Suzuki, 1952
Xiphasia setifer Swainson, 1839

References
Springer, V.G. 1988. The Indo-Pacific blenniid fish genus Ecsenius. Smithson. Contrib. Zool. , (465):134 p.
Smith-Vaniz, W.F. and V.G. Springer. 1971. Synopsis of the tribe Salariini, with description of five new genera and three
new species (Pisces: Blenniidae). Smithson. Contrib. Zool., (71):72 p.
Springer, V.G. and J.T. Williams. 1994. The Indo-west Pacific blenniid fish genus Istiblennius reappraised: a revision
of Istiblennius, Blenniella, and Paralticus, new genus. Smithson. Contrib. Zool. , (565):193 p.
Williams, J.T. 1988. Revision and phylogenetic relationships of the blenniid fish genus Cirripectes. Indo-Pac. Fishes,
(17):78 p.
Perciformes: Gobiesocoidei: Gobiesocidae 3547

Suborder GOBIESOCOIDEI

GOBIESOCIDAE
Clingfishes
by J.B. Hutchins

D iagnostic characters: Small to very small (to about 7 cm) fishes; body anteriorly depressed,
posteriorly subcylindrical to compressed; with a prominent ventral sucking disc (rudimentary or
absent in subfamily Alabetinae, not known from the area); caudal peduncle elongate or absent. Some
species with prominent posteriorly directed spine on each side of head. Eyes generally large, located
dorsolaterally. Snout elongate or short, flattened, or tubular. Mouth small, usually subterminal; teeth
variable, ranging from villiform to fang-like. Gills either free from isthmus or attached to it. A single short
dorsal fin located posteriorly, usually positioned directly above anal fin, both fins consisting of soft
rays only; pectoral fins moderate sized, with rounded border, modified to support ventral sucking
disc; pelvic fins modified to form a sucking disc on breast; caudal fin with rounded to truncate posterior
margin. Skin scaleless, covered with a thick layer of mucous; sensory pores and papillae on head and
along side of body. Colour: ground colour variable, including pale brown, green, yellow, red, and black,
often with contrasting lines or bars; some species are brilliantly coloured; most species fade quickly upon
death, and loose all colour after preservation; they are often able to blend with the surroundings.

posterior border
rounded

ventral view
ventral sucking disc

Habitat, biology, and fisheries: Inhabit both shallow and deep (to about 200 m) coastal waters. They are
found on reefs and in seagrass beds, often clinging to structures using their ventral sucking disc. Some even
attach themselves like remoras to other larger fish. They feed on small animals and epiphytes. Because of
their small size, clingfishes are not marketed for human consumption. However, some species may appear
in the aquarium trade.

Similar families occurring in the area

Gobiidae: always have 2 dorsal fins; most species have scaly skins.
Blenniidae: lack a ventral sucking disc; dorsal and anal fins long based.

Gobiidae Blenniidae
3548 Bony Fishes

Batrachoididae: lack a ventral sucking disc; dorsal and anal fins have long bases; possess III or IV spines
on each side of head.
Callionymidae: lack a ventral sucking disc; possess 2 dorsal fins.

Batrachoididae Callionymidae

List of species occurring in the area

Note: several species that are presently undescribed are not included here.
Conidens samoensis (Steindachner, 1906)
Diademichthys lineatus (Sauvage, 1883)
Discotrema crinophila Briggs, 1976
Discotrema lineata (Briggs, 1966)
Lepadichthys bolini Briggs, 1962
Lepadichthys caritus Briggs, 1969
Lepadichthys frenatus Waite, 1904
Lepadichthys minor Briggs, 1955
Liobranchia stria Briggs, 1955
Pherallodus indicus (Weber, 1913)

Reference
Briggs, J.C. 1955. A monograph of the clingfishes (order Xenopterygii). Stan. Ichthyol. Bull., (6):224 p.

click for next page