Species: Starksia sella, Darksaddle Blenny

Starksia sella Williams & Mounts, 2003

Darksaddle Blenny

Body elongate, compressed; bluntly pointed head; eye, nostril and nape cirri unbranched; dorsal fin XIX (XVIII-XIX), 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; 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, 16 (15-16) + 21 (20-21) scales; belly and pectoral base naked; smooth scales on rear of body.

Cheeks with reticulating pale spots on a dark background; lips with dark bars; rear 1/3 of body usually peppered with scale-sized dark spots; males without black blotch between dorsal spines I-IV, with small pale spots on snout and between eyes; lips with dark bars; a pale diagonal bar from gill opening across pectoral base; body with 9 dark saddles that extend onto lower half of dorsal fin; anal and tail fins with irregular dark bars.

Reaches 3.1 cm.

Found in crevices on vertical rock walls and on deeper reefs.

Depth range: 5-29 m.

SE Caribbean.