Black Blenny

Description: Dorsal fin IX-XI (usually X), 18-20, with short (9.2-14.2%SL) posteriormost ray; anal fin II, 18-20 (rarely 20); pectoral rays 15-18; pelvic fin I, 2; caudal fin segmented-rays 10-14; last dorsal ray joined to caudal fin but only scarcely; last anal ray may be barely connected also to the caudal fin but more often free. Supraorbital tentacle, slender and thread-like. Body deep, 3 in SL. (Ref. 90102). Several geographical variations. Adults almost black and some populations have a reddish tail. Juveniles often bright yellow (Ref. 48636).

Oviparous, distinct pairing (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 9 - 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18 - 20; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 18 - 20; Vertebrae: 33 - 35

Inhabits sheltered, shallow reefs, hiding among live or dead coral branches (Ref. 1602). From estuaries to outer reef lagoons (Ref. 48636).

Adults inhabit sheltered, shallow reefs, hiding among live or dead coral branches (Ref. 1602). From estuaries to outer reef lagoons (Ref. 48636), 2-12 m deep. Solitary (Ref. 90102). 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).

Atrosalarias fuscus, also known as the dusky blenny, brown coral blenny or black blenny, is a species of marine fish in the family Blenniidae.

It is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean, Red Sea included.

This fish is a small size that can reach a maximum size of 14.5 cm length.