Cirripectes randalli Williams 1988

Diagnosis: Dorsal fin XII, 14, membrane attached to caudal fin, with deep notch above last spine, first spine about equal to second; anal fin II, 16; pectoral rays 15; pelvic fin I, 4; caudal fin procurrent rays 10-12. Vertebrae 10 + 20. Last epipleural rib modally on vertebral centrum 19. LL, without scales and scalelike flaps; LL tubes 1-7, canal ends on caudal-fin base. Lower lip smooth mesially, plicate laterally. Upper lip crenulae 36-43. Gill rakers 26-27. Cephalic sensory pore system complex, no pores at the extra interorbital position. Midsnout pores present. Cirri, supraorbital 12-26, nasal 10-18; nuchal cirri 36-42, in 4 groups, ventralmost group borne on a slightly expanded flap. Body spots, extending to basal half of dorsal, anal and caudal fins in females but not in males (Ref. 529).

Oviparous, distinct pairing (Ref. 205). Urogenital orifice of male genital papilla located basally between 2 widely separated slender filaments on a fleshy swelling behind anus; testes bulbous with length equal its width (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 15; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 15 - 16; Vertebrae: 30

Found in coral patches, surge channels; fossil coral rock patch with young corals, vetrtical undercut, and many small caves - blind surge channel; also in rocky shore, light surf (Ref. 529).

Adults occur on coral patches in surge channels of rocky reefs with light surf, 0-8 m deep (Ref. 529). Oviparous. Eggs are demersal and adhesive (Ref. 205), and are attached to the substrate via a filamentous, adhesive pad or pedestal (Ref. 94114). Larvae are planktonic, often found in shallow, coastal waters (Ref. 94114).

fisheries: of no interest

Cirripectes randalli is a species of combtooth blenny found in the western Indian ocean. This species reaches a length of 10.7 centimetres (4.2 in) SL. The specific name honours the American ichthyologist John E. Randall of the Bishop Museum in Honolulu.