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Blenniiformes (Blennies) >
Labrisomidae (Labrisomids)
Etymology: Malacoctenus: Greek, malakos = soft + Greek, kteis, ktenos = comb (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Poey.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 8 m (Ref. 26938), usually 0 - 2 m (Ref. 9710). Subtropical; 32°N -
Western Atlantic: Bermuda, southern Florida (USA), Bahamas, and Yucatan (Mexico) to northern South America.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 5.5 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 7251)
Dorsal spines (total): 21 - 22; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 20 - 21. No conspicuous spots or ocelli. It is the only member of its genus that does not have a conspicuous color pattern (Ref. 26938). Female with irregular brown blotches dorsally on body, uniformly speckled with small whitish spots, the dorsal fin with many small dark reddish spots; postorbital head and body of males covered with small red spots and blotches; no dark spots in dorsal fin (Ref. 13442).
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal.
Occurs in a wide variety of shoreline habitats and patch reefs (Ref. 9710). Found in sponge beds in shallow waters and grassy areas (Ref. 26938).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Robins, C.R. and G.C. Ray, 1986. A field guide to Atlantic coast fishes of North America. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, U.S.A. 354 p. (Ref. 7251)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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