Blackspotted Rockskipper

Entomacrodus striatus

The Blackspotted Rockskipper is a small reef-associated fish found primarily in tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region. It is known to inhabit areas from East Africa to the Line and Ducie islands, extending north to the Ryukyu, Bonin, and Marcus islands, and south to Lord Howe and Rapa islands. This species is typically found in shallow waters, often residing in the intertidal zones of lagoons and wave-swept seaward reefs. Divers will often encounter them in the small pockets of water left in pitted limestone during low tide. Identifying the Blackspotted Rockskipper is relatively straightforward due to its elongated body adorned with small dark spots. The fish's upper lip is either uniformly dusky or features scattered spots, and a pale area behind the eye is usually followed by an irregular dark mark. It possesses 12 to 14 dorsal spines and 14 to 16 dorsal soft rays, making it distinguishable from similar species. The species is oviparous, with eggs that are demersal and adhesive, attaching to substrates via a filamentous pad. The larvae are planktonic and often found in shallow coastal waters. The Blackspotted Rockskipper is assessed as 'Least Concern' by the IUCN.