Blackass Combtooth Blenny

Ecsenius lividanalis

The Blackass Combtooth Blenny, a small reef-associated fish, is found throughout the coral reefs of the western Pacific, including regions such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. This species typically reaches a maximum length of 5 centimeters. It exhibits two distinct color forms: one with a blue head, yellow body, and yellow iris, and another darker form, occasionally all yellow, with a bluish-white iris, yellow back, and yellow caudal fin. Both forms share a characteristic black spot around the anus, making them identifiable among other reef fish. These blennies inhabit shallow waters, typically between 1 and 15 meters deep, and are often found in small groups within live corals of lagoons and sheltered coastal reefs. They are herbivorous, feeding primarily on benthic algae and weeds. As oviparous fish, their eggs are demersal and adhesive, attaching to substrates via a filamentous pad. Larvae are planktonic and often found in shallow coastal waters. Divers encountering the Blackass Combtooth Blenny may observe them swimming around large coral heads, especially on reef slopes, though they do not rest on the corals as frequently as other blennies. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, and it is harmless to humans. It is also a popular choice for commercial aquariums.