Malacoctenus macropus
| Ecological Descriptors | ||||
| Habitat | Size (cm) | Diet | Behaviour | Sex |
| Co, R, S | 5.5 | Cru, Wor | Ter | F |
Description:
Single unbranched cirrus above each eye and on either side of nape. Sharply pointed snout (like most Malacoctenus spp). Body is usually mottled and speckled in shades of grey/ browm. can display irregular dark body bars. Without oblique bars on underside of jaw (cf Saddled Blenny)
Male: Red spots and markings plus blue spots on underside of head and cheeks.
Female: Female with irregular brown blotches, or bars dorsally on body, speckled with small spots, the dorsal fin with many small dark spots. However generally indistinct.
Ecology
Occurs in a wide variety of shoreline habitats and patch reefs. Found in sponge beds in shallow waters and grassy areas plus mangroves. males are teritorial.
Life Cycle
In nuptial colours the male develops a deep red throat.
Lays eggs which hatch larvae, that pass through many developmental stages before maturity. Eggs laid in groups hidden away in nests in cracks and holes, and fertilized by the males. Males actively protect the nest, by keeping away predators. Males also fan the eggs as they hatch to produce the larvae. The larva hatches it goes off on its own; before developmental stages of the pre-transitional stage followed by the transitional stage, and finally the juvenile stage.
Single unbranched cirrus above each eye and on either side of nape. Sharply pointed snout (like most Malacoctenus spp). Body is usually mottled and speckled in shades of grey/ browm. can display irregular dark body bars. Without oblique bars on underside of jaw (cf Saddled Blenny)
Male: Red spots and markings plus blue spots on underside of head and cheeks.
Female: Female with irregular brown blotches, or bars dorsally on body, speckled with small spots, the dorsal fin with many small dark spots. However generally indistinct.
Ecology
Occurs in a wide variety of shoreline habitats and patch reefs. Found in sponge beds in shallow waters and grassy areas plus mangroves. males are teritorial.
Life Cycle
In nuptial colours the male develops a deep red throat.
Lays eggs which hatch larvae, that pass through many developmental stages before maturity. Eggs laid in groups hidden away in nests in cracks and holes, and fertilized by the males. Males actively protect the nest, by keeping away predators. Males also fan the eggs as they hatch to produce the larvae. The larva hatches it goes off on its own; before developmental stages of the pre-transitional stage followed by the transitional stage, and finally the juvenile stage.
Rosy Blenny
Male Nuptial Colours
Male Nuptial Colours
Rosy Blenny
Female
Female
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