English Name: Lined rockskipper
Family: BLENNIIDAE
Local Name: Rongudhemi venfunna
Order: Perciformes
Size: Max. 14 cm
Specimen: MRS/0252/88
Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 13 spines, and 2 1-25 rays. Anal fin with 2 spines, and 22-24 rays. Pectoral rays 14. Pelvic fin with I spine and 3 rays. Margin of upper lip crenulate, of lower lip smooth. Males with a crest on head. Cirrus over eye short and triangle, at right angle to surface of eye, finged on edges. No cirri on nape.
Colour: Pale grey with dark brown longitudinal lines, some interconnecting, breaking into short lines and spots on caudal peduncle. Some vertical to slightly diagonal dark lines on cheek and behind the eye. 6 pairs of small dark brown spots along base of dorsal fin; dorsal fin with diagonal whitish lines.
Habitat and Biology: Occurs along rocky shores, often in tide poo1s.
Distribution: Maldives to Polynesia.
Remarks: Istibiennius lineatus is only of several relatively small blenny species that inhabit shallow reef flats in the Maldives. Some blennies are adapted to the surf-swept intertidal zones. These blennies are able to leap from one pool to another.