Ecsenius bicolor (Day, 1888)
Bicolor blenny
Ecsenius bicolor
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies), subfamily: Salariinae
Max. size:  11 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 25 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Maldives to the Phoenix Islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef; throughout Micronesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-18; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 17-21. Occurs in three color phases: one black anteriorly and yellow posteriorly (bicolor phase), the others black dorsally with a broad white lateral band and dusky belly with or without a yellow tail.
Biology:  Found solitary in abandoned tubes (Ref. 90102). Inhabit clear lagoon and seaward reefs with mixed corals and algae-covered rocks. 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: 24 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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