Sabertooth blenny (Plagiotremus azaleus)

Scientific name: Plagiotremus azaleus Jordan & Bollman, 1890

Sabertooth blenny (Plagiotremus azaleus)

The Sabertooth blenny (Plagiotremus azaleus) is a marine fish of the family Blenniidae. Native range: Eastern Pacific, Gulf of California to Peru, including the Galapagos Islands.

Biology

Lives in empty tube-worm snail shells, often extending the head from the opening. Feeds by joining loose groups of look-alike rainbow wrasse and darting out to nip at nearby fish, taking mucus and perhaps small bits of flesh. The skin of larger fishes is the mainstay of the diet, although they are also known to eat eggs. Oviparous. Eggs are demersal and adhesive. Eggs are attached to the walls of the parent's shelter and are brooded by the male parent.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Plagiotremus azaleus
Family
Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
10.0
Depth range
2–23 m (7–75 ft)
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 23 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Eastern Pacific: Gulf of California to Peru, including the Galapagos Islands.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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