SCALY BLENNIES
LABRISOMIDAE
Saddled Blenny
Malacoctenus triangulatus
    Ecological Descriptors
Habitat Size (cm) Diet Behaviour Sex 
Co, R 7.5 Cru Ter F
Description:
Four, dark inverted triangular bars ("saddles") on back plus a band on the caudal peduncle. Undercolour usually white. Often faint diamond patterns on lower body. Usually has diagonal stripes on lower jaw. Occasionally red dots on body. Sharply pointed snout

Ecology
Down to a depth of 14 m from patch reefs or rocky areas with live corals sprinkled about. It is often found in crevices, or among weed and rubble. It feeds on crustaceans

Life Cycle
Male saddle blennies defend small territories in rubble and sand habitat. They court passing conspecific females which, when receptive, follow the male to a crevice where they deposit their eggs. Females have home ranges, rather than territories and do not participate in the protection or care of the eggs. Eggs are highly susceptible to predation by the Bluehead Wrasse (Thalassoma bifasciatum). Males may co-defend a territory with Beaugregory Damselfish (Stegastes leucostictus) males. The species appears to benefit from this association because the larger male Beaugregory Damselfish plays a larger role in defending against the Bluehead Wrasse
Saddled Blenny
135
Saddled Blenny
136
137
Saddled Blenny
Male Nuptial Colours
Saddled Blenny
569