Teleostei (teleosts) >
Blenniiformes (Blennies) >
Labrisomidae (Labrisomids)
Etymology: Malacoctenus: Greek, malakos = soft + Greek, kteis, ktenos = comb (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: Donald S Erdman was an American ichthyologist, fishery biologist and angler. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated. Tropical
Western Atlantic: Bahamas to Curaçao.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 3.8 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5521)
Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 37; Anal spines: 2. Common amongst Labrisomids: small, often elongate fishes; largest species about 20 cm standard length, most under 10 cm standard length. Head usually with cirri or fleshy flaps on anterior nostrils, eyes, and laterally on nape; gill membranes continuous with each other across posteroventral surface of head. Each jaw with an outer row of relatively large, canine-like or incisor-like teeth, often with patches of smaller teeth behind; teeth usually also present on vomer. Dorsal and anal fins long, frequently highest anteriorly; dorsal-fin spines often flexible, outnumbering segmented dorsal-fin soft rays; 2 usually flexible spines in anal fin; pelvic fins inserted anterior to pectoral-fin bases, with 1 spine not visible externally; all fin rays, including those of caudal, unbranched (simple). Cycloid (smooth to touch) scales present at least posteriorly on body. Body coloration: varying from drab to brilliant hues; usually with irregular vertical bands, spots, or marbled pattern. Species distinguished by: dorsal fin consisting of spines and 7 to 37 segmented rays; cirri on anterior nostril and bove eye usually 2; two or more cirri on each side of nape just anterior to dorsal-fin origin; pectoral-fin rays usually 16; length of shortest pelvic-fin ray (third ray very difficult to see) contained fewer than 4 times in length of longest ray; pelvic-fin soft rays 3 (innermost ray may be reduced in length and folded over middle ray); scales in lateral-line series 40 to 69 (some scales in posterior portion of lateral line may lack sensory tubes, but are included in count); pectoral-fin base naked; maxillary bone sheathed; small teeth present behind large teeth in outer row (small teeth inconspicuous and easily knocked out while probing); teeth absent on palatines; distinct, dark blotch at bases of posteriormost dorsal-fin spines (Ref.52855).
Inhabits surfaces of rocks, in depressions, and among clumps of algae, among broken coral debris and rocks in only a few feet of water (Ref. 5521).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Böhlke, J.E. and C.C.G. Chaplin, 1993. Fishes of the Bahamas and adjacent tropical waters. 2nd edition. University of Texas Press, Austin. (Ref. 5521)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Tools
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