Cirripectes castaneus (Chestnut blenny)

Identification

Gray to reddish brown, dark bars on the body and red stripes on the head, ocellated “ear” spot and fringe-like cirri on the nape.

Status

Unevaluated by the IUCN Red list.

Habitat

Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea to Tonga, north to southern Japan; south to Lord Howe Island; Palau, Ifaluk, and Kapingamarangi in Micronesia. Occurs in wave-swept algal ridge (Porolithon ridge) of outer reef flats. Usually found on rocky and coralline substrates. Usually seen in small loose groups spread over sections of reef. In the Red Sea, it has been collected as deep as 30 m, 32 m at Rowley Shoals off Western Australia. It lives in a depth range of 0-32 meters, but is usually seen in depths of 0-10 meters.

Reproduction

Oviparous. Eggs are demersal and adhesive

Size

Up to 12cm.

Prey / Predation

It feeds predominantly on benthic algae.

Special features

It is a very shy fish, and will only come out in open water for short periods of time before heading back in shelter. Due to the cirri on its nap, it also referred to as chestnut eyelash blenny.