Blue Dashed Rockskipper

Diagnosis: Dorsal fin XIII, 18-21, notched between spinous and segmented-ray portions; anal fin II, 19-21; pectoral rays 13-15 (usually 14); pelvic fin I, 3; caudal fin, procurrent rays 7, segmented rays 13. Vertebrae 12 + 25-27. Orbital cirrus simple and slender, may have a short lateral branch, less often up to 4 branches; nasal cirri short and palmate, may rarely have more than 6 branches; nuchal cirri simple and slender, may have a single branch or a ragged edge. Mandibular pores 6. Dorsal lips margin entire, ventral margin crenulated. Occipital crest absent, but large males have a low thin ridge (less than 1.8 mm); no crest or ridge in females Three color-pattern types described for different localities (see Ref. 9962). Body of males with 6-7 dusky bands with 1 or a pair of dark margined, pale, oblong spots on each band; dark spots on spinous dorsal, dusky lines on rayed dorsal. Females with spots on caudal peduncle; body sometimes with fine dark specks (Ref. 4404). Body depth at anal-fin origin 4.6-5.3 in SL (Ref. 90102).

Distinct pairing (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 12 - 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18 - 21; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 19 - 21; Vertebrae: 25 - 27

Oceanic (Ref. 61110). Found in coral reefs and rocky bottoms (Ref. 53568). Prefers clear, subtidal, fully marine waters near rocky or coral reefs (Ref. 9962). Inhabit exposed outer intertidal reef flats, where it can hide in cracks and holes. Commonly observed clinging to rocks as the water recedes below them during the low cycle of the swell and this species is often confused with mudskipper gobies (Ref. 48636). Feed on filamentous algae and associated small invertebrates, such as foraminiferans, ostracods, copepods, and gastropods (Ref. 205).

Adults inhabit exposed outer intertidal reef flats, where it can hide in cracks and holes. Commonly observed clinging to rocks as the water recedes below them during the low cycle of the swell and this species is often confused with mudskipper gobies (Ref. 48636). They feed on filamentous algae and associated small invertebrates, such as foraminiferans, ostracods, copepods, and gastropods. Oviparous. Eggs are demersal and adhesive (Ref. 205), and are attached to the substrate via a filamentous, adhesive pad or pedestal (Ref. 94114). Larvae are planktonic, often found in shallow, coastal waters (Ref. 94114). Rarely used for aquarium fish.

fisheries: of no interest