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Blenniiformes (Blennies) >
Labrisomidae (Labrisomids)
Etymology: Malacoctenus: Greek, malakos = soft + Greek, kteis, ktenos = comb (Ref. 45335).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 40 m (Ref. 13121), usually 0 - 3 m (Ref. 9710). Subtropical; 32°N - 26°S, 100°W - 32°W
Southwestern Atlantic: from Bahamas and Florida southwards to Brazil.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 7.5 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 13628)
Dorsal spines (total): 20 - 21; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 12; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 20 - 22. With 3-5 dark brownish-red bands in form of inverted triangles along side. No other labrisomid has this distinctive color pattern (Ref. 26938). Head with a few small dark spots; bars on body sometimes not very dark but outlined by dark bars; scattered dots then often present elsewhere on the body (Ref. 13442).
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal.
Inhabits coral reefs and rocky shores. Often found in crevices, or among weed and rubble (Ref. 13121). Feeds on crustaceans (Ref. 13628).
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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