Malacoctenus zaluari Carvalho-Filho, Gasparini & Sazima, 2020
Rusty scaly blenny
photo by Wirtz, P.

Family:  Labrisomidae (Labrisomids)
Max. size:  4.69 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 15 m
Distribution:  Southwestern Atlantic: Brazil.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 20-20; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 19-21. This species is distinguished from its southwestern Atlantic congeners by the following set of characters: D XX,11-12 (rarely XXI,10); A II,19-21; pectoral rays 14; length of third pelvic ray contained 2.5 to 3.0 times in second pelvic-fin ray; lateral-line scales 51-53; total nuchal cirri 12-16; presence of pre-dorsal scales and pre-pectoral scales, when present are considerably smaller than scales on body; breast usually fully scaled on males, often naked on females; one pore, rarely absent, extend from preopercular canal onto opercle. Colouration: body with 5-6 saddle-like bars that do not extend on dorsal fin; two thin white bands on upper lip usually extending to snout (Ref. 123106).
Biology:  Occurs in shallow reefs and tide pools, usually in clear waters where it feeds on small benthic invertebrates (Ref. 123106).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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