Neoclinus blanchardi

Species infomation

Distinctive features:

1. 2 ocelli on dorsal fin - sometimes more/less.
2. Pair of 2-3 lightly branched orbital cirri.
3. White blotches behind eye to opercle edge.

Physical description:

Branched nasal cirri. Pair of 2-3 orbital cirri - first cirri simple and back cirri with multiple deep branches. Large mouth with visible excess skin on the sides of the cheek.

Colouration:

White stripe behind eye to opercle edge, often anouther white stripe from bottom of eye to lower jaw. Cirri colour matches body. Colour highly variable, often dark brown but can be yellow, orange and red. Non-brown individuals typically patternless. Brown individuals with pale brown on upper and lower body with darker midflank. ~7 dark brown stripes along body separated by dark brown blotches on midflank. Dorsal fin matches body colour with pale stripes. Dorsal fin typically with 2 ocelli, small one between spines I-II and another larger between spines VI-X. Ocelly appear black, often with blue inside, and a golden outer ring. There can be only one ocelli, in this case it is located between spines VI-X. Infrequently there are more than 2 ocelli, the extras also located near the front.
Males: back of outer mouth with yellow and green stripes. Inside of mouth dark green-blue with yellow edges.

Size:

Reaches 30.0 cm.

Habitat:

Found in objects on sandy or hard mud bottoms.