| Remarks |
This species is never abundant, occurs in the intertidal area and very shallow waters. No specimens were observed below the 3 m depth. In the Tyrrhenian Sea, the maximum number observed was four (4). In this area, at each survey, specimens were observed in the narrow canal between the sea and the coastal lagoon of the Lake Miseno. The hard substrate of the canal is encrusted with several organisms: ascidians, bryozoans, algae and barnacles). Specimens were observed only in a dim light area of the canal with deep crevices. This canal was inhabited by a fish community consisting of Sparidae (Diplodus spp.), Mugilidae, Moronidae (Dicentrarchus labrax) and some species of combtooth blennies (Salaria pavo, Scartella cristata, Parablennius incognitus, Parablennius sanguinolentus). Most of H. bananensis were observed along the vertical wall of the canal, between crevices, 0-2 m depth. Females were sporadic and never observed more than 1 female specimen per survey day. These were observed between crevices and on the pebbly bottom of the canal, until a depth of 3 m. Unlike the males, females were often observed swimming and then disappearing among crevices after a few seconds of observations. Males were strictly territorial, especially when guarding the eggs (Ref. 97251). |