Species: Starksia y-lineata, Forked-bar Blenny

Starksia y-lineata Gilbert, 1965

Forked-bar Blenny

Body elongate, compressed; bluntly pointed head; eye, nostril and nape cirri unbranched; dorsal fin XIX-XX (XVIII-XX), 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; pectorals usually 13 (12-14); pelvic fins I (internal), 2, inserted before pectoral base; all fin rays unbranched; lateral line continuous, front section arched, rear section straight, 15 (14-15) + 19 (18-19) scales; belly and pectoral base naked; smooth scales on rear of body.

Upper 2/3 of body back to tail base brown, with a series of narrow pale Y shaped bars; dark bars across lips; female with 6-7 dark spots in a line along rear edge of preopercle, and 4 along edge of operculum, male with a single large blotch on preopercle. Life colors: male: body with reddish background, particularly on lower part; all fins reddish; head bright red; a brilliant semicircle marking rear edge of dark brown preopercle; female colors less intense.

Reaches 2.5 cm.

Habitat: shoreline rock and coral heads.

Depth: 0.2-4 m.

Cayman Island and the Colombian offshore atolls.