Ecsenius tessera Springer, 1988
Ecsenius tessera
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies), subfamily: Salariinae
Max. size:  4.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 6 - 10 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: New Caledonia and New Hebrides (Vanuatu).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-15; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 16-17; Vertebrae: 33-33. Dorsal fin XII.14 or 15, with deep notch between spinous and segmented-ray portions. Anal fin II,16 or 17. Pectoral fin 13. Segmented caudal-fin rays 13. Vertebrae 10 + 23. Dentary incisor teeth 50-54 which includes anterior canine teeth very similar in appearance with incisors; posterior canines 1 on each side. Lateral line without vertical pairs of pores, terminating posteriorly at some point between vertical from interspace between dorsal-fin spines 10 and 11and vertical from first segmented ray. With cirrus on posterior rim of anterior nostril; absent on anterior rim. Dark spots on posterior half of body tile-like, surrounded and separated from each other only by pale, grout-like (interconnected) network (Ref. 5296).
Biology:  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


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