Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes(genus, species) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Teleostei (teleosts) >
Blenniiformes (Blennies) >
Clinidae (Clinids)
Etymology: Heteroclinus: Greek, heteros = other + Greek, klinein, kline = sloping and bed, due to the four apophyses of sphenoid bone (Ref. 45335); whitleyi: 'whitleyi', i.e. named for Gilbert P. Whitley (Ref. 132458).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 0 - 15 m (Ref. 132458). Subtropical
Indo-West Pacific: Australia.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 5.3 cm SL (female)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 26 - 28; Dorsal soft rays (total): 2 - 3; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 15 - 18. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D III,XXIII-XXV,2-3 (usually 3); A II,15-18 (usually 17); pectoral rays 11-12 (usually 12); gill rakers on outer face of first arch 2-4 + 6-9 = 8-12 (usually 10–11); circumorbital head pores uniserial (12-16 pores); orbital tentacle is low, broad, with rounded distal margin about 1–1/2 to 2 times as long as wide; nasal tentacle is short, rounded with an expanded tip; middle gill rakers and uppermost rakers on outer face of first arch are not branched dorsally; first dorsal fin is slightly elevated (second dorsal spine 8.0-11.9% SL, decreasing slightly with increasing growth) originating over the middle of preoperculum; third dorsal spine id usually slightly in front of a vertical from pelvic origin; last dorsal ray is connected by a membrane to posterior part of caudal peduncle to upper base of caudal fin; body is moderate to deep, proportion increasing significantly with size (depth at anal origin 24.5–31.1% SL in specimens 2.58-5.1 cm SL, 26.5-32.7% SL in specimens 5.1-7.77 cm SL). Coluration: body brown to reddish brown or purple, often with 3-4 distinct dark, longitudinal bands or large spots forming horizontal rows; with a silver or white bar extending horizontally from posterior margin of eye at level of lower pupil margin; dark brown bars below the base of dorsal fins broader than light spaces between bars; interspinal membranes of second dorsal fin with without pigment forming a series of clear windows, rarely without clear windows or with windows extending over two spines; anal fin with similar clear windows between rays (Ref. 132458).
Cross section: compressed.
Depth and maximum size based on original description.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Hoese, D.F., A. Hay and J.D. Dibattista, 2024. A review of the Heteroclinus heptaeolus complex (Pisces: Blennioidei: Clinidae), with three new species and discussion of use of proportions in taxonomic studies. Zootaxa 5432(3):301-348. (Ref. 132458)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest
Tools
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.3 ±0.5 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
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![Image of Heteroclinus whitleyi (Whitley\](/images/thumbnails/gif/tn_CLINIDT0.gif "Image of Heteroclinus whitleyi (Whitley\")
