Redspotted Rockskipper

Blenniella chrysospilos

The Redspotted Rockskipper, Blenniella chrysospilos, is a small reef fish known for its distinctive appearance and behavior. It features a pale white or gray body adorned with light brown blotches and numerous orange spots and stripes. Its elongated body is complemented by a long dorsal fin that resembles a comb, and it has a compact face with large, multicolored eyes. This species is often confused with Hypleurochilus springeri, another fish referred to as the orange-spotted blenny. This blenny inhabits coral reefs across the Indo-Pacific, from the east coast of Africa to the Society Islands, and is found as far north as the Ryukyu Islands and as far south as 24°S. It thrives in shallow waters, typically between 0 and 6 meters deep, often in clear coastal reef flats and exposed habitats with abundant algal growth. The Redspotted Rockskipper is an algae eater, feeding on algae, detritus, and small invertebrates. It is known to be territorial, especially around other blennies, and frequently hides in small crevices with only its head protruding. The species is oviparous, with eggs that are demersal and adhesive, attaching to substrates via a filamentous pad. Larvae are planktonic and commonly found in shallow coastal waters. The Redspotted Rockskipper is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.