Eared Blenny, Cirripectes auritus Carlson 1981

Other Names: Blackflap Blenny

An Eared Blenny, Cirripectes auritus, in North Sumatra, Indonesia, 2009. Source: Gaetan White / FishBase. License: CC By Attribution-NonCommercial

Summary:

A creamish, pink or brown blenny, sometimes with small dark spots scattered on the body and dorsal fin, and a blackish flap on each side of the nape. In the Australian region, the Eared Blenny has only been recorded at the Australian Territory of Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean.

Cite this page as:

Bray, D.J. 2018, Cirripectes auritus in Fishes of Australia, accessed 05 Apr 2025, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/5425

Quick Facts

Conservation:IUCN Least Concern

Depth:0-20 m

Habitat:Reef associated

Max Size:9 cm TL

Species Image Gallery

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Distribution	Recorded from the Australian Territory of Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean. Elsewhere the species occurs in the Indo-West Pacific, from Africa, the Andaman Sea, Philippines and Indonesia. Inhabits shallow protected reefs with rich coral and algae growth, usually at depths above about 10 m, although may occur deeper.
Features	Dorsal fin XII, 15-18; Anal fin II, 16-18; Pectoral fin 14-15; Pelvic fin I, 4. Body short, deep; nape with single weakly fringed flap on each side, and up to 10 widely spaced, simple cirri between flaps; 3-4 simple cirri on nostril and eye. Posterior dentary canine present.
Etymology	The specific name auritus is from Latin meaning eared, in refernce to the enlarged nuchal flaps.
Species Citation	Cirripectes auritus Carlson 1981, Pacific Science 34(4) (for 1980); 408, Figs. 1-2, 3c. Type locality: English Harbor, Tabuaeran [= Fanning Island], Line Islands, central Pacific, depth 5 m.
Author	Bray, D.J. 2018
Resources

Eared Blenny, Cirripectes auritus Carlson 1981