Neoclinus bryope

Species infomation

Distinctive features:

1. Black and pale spots on head.
2. Upper opercle edge black.
3. 3-4 heavily branched orbital cirri.
4. Dorsal fin with/without ocelli.

Physical description:

Nasal cirri branched. Pair of 3-4 thick orbital cirri, first 2 heavily and deeply branched while the rest are lightly branched.

Colouration:

Colour ranges from pale brown to a darker brown - however it may have pink hues. Often strongly banded but may be patternless. Upper body darker and lower body lighter. Can have dark spots on rear body. Patterned individuals with ~9 kite-shaped blotches with small inbetween blotches throughout. These blotches can merge to make a horizontal stripe. Upper body with 7-10 blotches. Darker head with black and pale spots on cheek and rear head, with pale ones also on lips. Upper opercle edge black. Throat either with black and white stripes or patternless. Front of dorsal fin dark, with up to 2 ocelli.

Size:

Reaches 8.0 cm.

Habitat:

Found in tidepools and holes in rocks.

Notes:

These photos are the same as N. chihiroe and N. okazakii as there are no real ways to discern the species other than dorsal elements; but if the individual has anywhere from 40-42 it cannot be idenitified to species.