Species: Starksia species B, Southwest Blenny

Starksia species B

Southwest Blenny

Body elongate, compressed; bluntly pointed head; no eye cirri; nostril and nape cirri unbranched; dorsal fin XIX (XVIII-XX), 5-7, 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 13-14; pelvic fins I (internal), 2, inserted before pectoral base; all fin rays unbranched; lateral line continuous, front section arched, rear section straight; belly scaleless to rear 1/3 scaled; smooth scales on rear of body.

Probable colors: head and body pale brown, with irregular dark red-brown blotches in a network of thin pale lines, the upper blotches forming saddles on the upper back; dorsal fin spines situated above a back saddle with a red-brown spot on its base; a prominent ¾ eye-sized black spot on top (and sometimes bottom) of body extending onto bases of last soft dorsal (and anal) rays; dark bars under eye, dark blotches on cheek and behind eye.

Probable size ~2.1 cm.

Lives on reef flats and outer reefs in coral rich areas?

Depth range: 0-25 m?

SW Caribbean.

Note: One of the Starksia atlantica group of species.