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Diamond Blenny

(Malacoctenus boehlkei)

Malacoctenus boehlkei is a species of blenny belonging to the family Labrisomidae. Here are some key characteristics and information about this species:

  1. Distribution: Malacoctenus boehlkei is found in the Western Atlantic Ocean. Its range extends from southern Florida in the United States, through the Bahamas and the Caribbean Sea, down to the northern coast of South America, including Venezuela and Colombia.
  2. Appearance: This blenny species is small and slender, with a typical length ranging from 3 to 6 cm (1.2 to 2.4 inches). It has a streamlined body with a pointed snout and large eyes positioned towards the top of the head. The coloration varies, but it often includes shades of brown, gray, or olive with irregular darker markings and sometimes a pale stripe along the lateral line.
  3. Habitat: Malacoctenus boehlkei inhabits shallow coral reefs, rocky shorelines, and seagrass beds. It prefers areas with plenty of crevices and hiding spots among rocks or coral rubble.
  4. Behavior: These blennies are typically territorial and can be found perched on rocks or corals, darting in and out of hiding places. They feed on small invertebrates and algae, foraging among the substrate and on the surfaces of rocks and coral.
  5. Reproduction: Like many blennies, Malacoctenus boehlkei is oviparous, meaning they reproduce by laying eggs that hatch externally. Males are known to guard the eggs until they hatch, providing protection and oxygenation by fanning them with their fins.
  6. They can also live symbiotic with Condylactus Anemones.
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