Starksia atlantica

Starksia atlantica, the smooth-eye blenny, is a species of labrisomid blenny native to the western central Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea where it inhabits coral reefs at depths of around 8 metres (26 ft).[2]

Starksia atlantica
Juvenile
Adult male

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Blenniiformes
Family: Labrisomidae
Genus: Starksia
Species:
S. atlantica
Binomial name
Starksia atlantica
Longley, 1934

Description

Adult Starksia atlantica can grow to 2.5 cm (0.98 in) in length.[2] It is an elongated shape with a continuous short dorsal fin running most of the length of the body. The colour is variable, being mostly mottled brown on a silvery background with larger dark spots above. The dorsal fin has 18–19 rays, the anal fin 7–8 rays, the pelvic fins have 15–16 and the pectorals 14 rays.[3]

Early stage larvae of Starksia are more tadpole-shaped than other labrisomids and lack some of the melanophores (dark spots) typical of the family. Juvenile Starksia atlantica are long and narrow, with large eyes. The mouth is at the tip of the pointed snout. Both the dorsal and anal fins run continuously for most of the length of the body. The pectoral fins are long and the pelvic fins have 2 spines and are long and threadlike. The melanophores are few in number and occur at the base of the anal fin rays.[3]

References
  1. Williams, J. & Craig, M.T. (2014). "Starksia atlantica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T194905A2366870. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T194905A2366870.en.
  2. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2013). "Starksia atlantica" in FishBase. October 2013 version.
  3. Labrisomidae: Starksia Larvae of coral reef fishes. Retrieved 2011-12-29.
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