Species: Starksia fasciata, Blackbar Blenny

Starksia fasciata (Longley, 1934)

Blackbar Blenny

Body elongate, compressed; bluntly pointed head; eye, nostril and nape cirri unbranched; dorsal fin XIX-XX, 7-8, a notch between spines and rays; 1st anal spine of male long, free from rest of fin, modified as sexual organ, no ridge or fold along anal fin base; pectorals usually 13; pelvic fins I (internal), 2, inserted before pectoral base; all fin rays unbranched; lateral line continuous, front section arched, rear section straight, 15 (14-16) + 19 (19-20) scales; belly naked except a row of scales in front of the anus in some large adults; smooth scales on rear of body.

Grey-brown to red-brown; body with 7 complete dark bars separated by broader pale interspaces, another bar across nape; 1-2 red spots on dorsal fin base above each body bar; male with a large dark blotch on cheek; female with a row of small dark spots along edge of preopercle and another along edge of opercle.

Reaches 2.7 cm.

Shallow rocky and weedy areas.

Depth range: 0-7 m.

The Bahamas to Cuba; the NE Caribbean.