Species: Starksia occidentalis, Occidental Blenny

Starksia occidentalis Greenfield, 1979

Occidental Blenny

Body elongate, compressed; bluntly pointed head; eye, nostril and nape cirri unbranched; dorsal fin XXI (XX-XXI), 8 (7-9), 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; anal fin II, 17 (16-17); pectorals usually 14; pelvic fins I (internal), 2, inserted before pectoral base; all fin rays unbranched; lateral line continuous, front section arched, rear section straight, 17 (16-17) + 19-20 (19-21) scales; belly naked; smooth scales on rear of body.

Side of head with pale Y-shaped area, its lower edge with dark-ringed spots; lips with black bars; top of head with a brown bar across nape at level of operculum end; body pale, with 3 rows of brown blotches (each <eye), one row along dorsal fin base, 1 row a little above midline, 3rd row below midline; pectoral base with two dark-ringed spots; dorsal fin with a distinct spot between spines I-II; tail fin with 4-5 brown bars.

Reaches 3.6 cm.

Lives in a variety of habitats, coral, coral rock, rubble on inner and outer reefs.

Depth range 3-15 m, usually < 2 m.

The W Caribbean.