Enneapterygius phoenicosoma

This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: second dorsal-fin spines 11-13 (mode 12) ; third dorsal-fin soft rays 8-10 (9); pectoral-fin rays 15-17 (16); anal-fin soft rays 16-18 (17); scale rows in longitudinal series 32-35 (33); pored lateral-line scales 16-19 (17); notched lateral-line scales 16-19 (18); scale row between last pored lateral-line scale and first notched lateral-line scale 1; mandibular pore formula 4-6+1+4-6 (4+1+4); dorsal-fin spines and rays long [e.g., lengths of second spine 8.6-12.6% of SL (mean 10.1%) and third spine 7.2-9.8% of SL (8.5%) in first dorsal fin; first spine 12.8-17.2% of SL (15.2%), second spine 13.8-18.2% of SL (15.9%), and third spine 14.2-18.4% of SL (15.8%) in second dorsal fin; and first soft ray 14.8-19.5% of SL (17.3%), second soft ray 14.7-18.9% of SL (16.9%), and third soft ray 13.9-19.1% of SL (15.9%) in third dorsal fin]; second dorsal-fin base short [25.0-32.9% of SL (mean 29.2%)]; anal-fin base short [36.9-43.5% of SL (mean 40.5%)]; the nasal tentacle unbranched, flat, broadened distally; lower two-thirds of head, including lower half of eye, snout, lips, cheek, and opercle, and pectoral-fin base, dense black in nuptial males; upper head and body is reddish-brown in males and females, reddish in nuptial males, with H-shaped and/or upside-down Y-shaped oblique brown bars on lateral surface of body in both sexes; the caudal-fin base with vertical brownish band, its width subequal to pupil diameter, and narrow vertical white band behind brownish band in both sexes; narrow, indistinct, white line along posterior margin of black area on pectoral-fin base in nuptial males; pectoral, pelvic, and anal fins reddish in nuptial males; no black fins (Ref. 118055).

Dorsal spines (total): 14 - 16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 10; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 16 - 18

This species is usually found in open tide-pools and areas with strong regular surges generated by wave swells. Individuals often inhabit the surface of large rocks, but also slits and holes in large rocks, at depths of less than 25 m (usually less than 15 m). Spawning at Shikoku is reported to occur from early morning until about 10 am starting in June (Ref. 118055).

Enneapterygius phoenicosoma is a species of triplefin blenny from the western pacific where it has been recorded from southern Japan, the Caroline Islands and Vanuatu. The breeding males are similar in colour and pattern to those of Enneapterygius atriceps but this species is generally larger (up to 37.2 millimetres (1.46 in) standard length) has a simple nasal tentacle and different meristic counts.