Whitespotted Blenny

Salarias alboguttatus

The Whitespotted Blenny is a small reef fish known for its distinctive combtooth appearance. It can grow up to 9 centimeters in length and is easily identified by its elongated body and the presence of white spots. Divers can find this species in the Indo-Pacific region, ranging from Sri Lanka to Samoa and north to southern Japan. It inhabits shallow lagoon reefs, often seen on algal-covered rocks and rubble, typically at depths between 1 and 8 meters. The Whitespotted Blenny is a reef-associated species that exhibits facultative air-breathing, allowing it to thrive in shallow waters. It is oviparous, with eggs that are demersal and adhere to substrates via a filamentous pad. The larvae are planktonic and commonly found in coastal waters. Divers encountering the Whitespotted Blenny may find it in shallow, tropical waters, where it exhibits typical reef-dwelling behavior. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. Observing this species in its natural habitat can offer insights into the diverse life forms that inhabit coral reefs.