Description:

Dorsal spines: 12-13; Dorsal rays: 15-17; Anal spines: 2; Anal rays: 16-18.

Body short and relatively deep. Nuchal flaps on either side, with filaments on margin, and a comb of up to 10 simple cirri on the nape between the flaps. 3-4 cirri on 
nostril and eye. Posterior dentary canine present.

Colour. Nuchal flaps black sometimes with yellow edge. Inner ring of iris yellow, outer ring reddish brown. Pale spots or streaks from orbit to upper lip (the specimen shown 
here also exhibits pale spots on the top of the head and behind the eye). Body colouration varies by geographic region. May be pale, brown or mottled pale and brown, often 
with small dark spots on posterior portion of body. Smith & Heemstra (1999) describe as uniformly pale (except black flap) or with scattered fine dusky spots.

Maturity: Unknown. Max length : 7.1 cm SL.

Found in shallow protected reefs with rich coral and algae growth (depth 0-20 m, typically 5-10 m). Herbivore. Usually solitary. 
Oviparous. Distinct pairing. Eggs are demersal and adhesive, and are attached to the substrate via a filamentous, adhesive pad or pedestal.
Larvae are planktonic, often found in shallow, coastal waters. 

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is not subject to the artisanal fishery. 

Photo courtesy Eleanor Brighton and Chris Mason-Parker (c) 2022 Blue Safari Seychelles/Marine Conservation Society, Seychelles. Photograph taken at Alphonse group 2022.
 

Bray, D.J. (2018). Cirripectes auritus in Fishes of Australia, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/5425 (15/07/22). 
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2022). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Cirripectes-auritus.html (15/07/22).
Smith, M. & Heemstra, P. (Eds.) (1999). Smiths’ Sea Fishes Edition 6. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 10.1007/978-3-642-82858-4 
Williams, J.T. (2014). Cirripectes auritus. The IUCN Red List 2014: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T48342105A48364858.en. (15/07/22).

Nevill, J.E.G., Brighton, E. & Mason-Parker, C. (2022). Cirripectes auritus, Blackflap blenny. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/cirripectes-auritus-carlson-1981/