Species: Starksia rava, Tawny Blenny

Starksia rava Williams & Mounts, 2003

Tawny Blenny

Body elongate, compressed; bluntly pointed head; eye, nostril and nape cirri unbranched; dorsal fin XX (XIX-XXI), 8 (7-9), 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 with I (internal), 2, inserted before pectoral base; all fin rays unbranched; lateral line continuous, front section arched, rear section straight, 15 (15-16) + 20 (19-23) scales; belly and pectoral base naked; smooth scales on rear of body.

Head and body pale greenish-brown; upper lip usually with bars; no black spot at front of dorsal fin; cheeks with reddish brown to brown spots on a pale reticulum (more extensive in female); underside of head with 3-4 rows of dark spots; a row of 5-6 small dark spots along edge of preopercle; base of pectoral variable, with pale lines and red to black spots; body with 8-9 dark saddles extending onto base of dorsal fin; dorsal and anal with pale edges, a dark stripe inside that, and a row of dark spots along the base.

Reaches 3 cm.

Lives on reefs in rock and rubble, on both windward reef walls and in lagoons.

Depth range: 0-26 m.

The SE Caribbean.