Rippled Rockskipper
Istiblennius edentulus
-19.0542, -169.861
Field Notes
Description:
About 7-9cm long slender rockskipper. Overall dark grey-green body colouration with fawn-coloured regulary markings along their sides. Great deal of variation in markings but some are in an almost geometric pattern, whilst photo 1 shows less fawn markings and some small light green coloured spot. Similar colouration but in a more 'brain like pattern' extends down the pectoral fins and visible on the top of the head. Some individuals had a dark coloured patch on the top of their head as well. Comparatively long pectoral fins, which would extend to the front of the head. Head is not significantly larger than the anterior portion of the body and eyes are raised at approximately 45degrees from the top of the head. Unfortunately I didn't manage to get a photo with the raised dorsal fin, which would have further assisted ID.
Habitat:
Rockskipper seen on the wet rock faces on the west coast of Niue. Very fast moving and living out of the water - many scuttle up into rock crevasses when approached.
Notes:
It wasn't until I came to ID these creatures, thinking they were mudskippers that I ran into difficulty. Gianluca Polgar, a mudskipper expert I found on line, pointed out they were probably rockskippers. Although these are not listed as rare or endangered, information on line is very limited.
I would love to find out more information about them. Niue is such an 'undiscovered' and undocumented island, it wouldn't be impossible that these little guys have not been noticed for what they are. Although identified as occurring in the pacific, Niue is not mentioned among the islands where they are found. I would love to know if, at the very least this is may be a confirmed extension to the known rockskipper range and possible a new speices/sub-species, especially due to the habitat. I have located the sighting as centre of Niue for the time being
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