Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) >
Perciformes (Perch-likes) >
Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies) > Blenniinae
Etymology: Plagiotremus: Greek, plagios = oblique + Greek, trema = hole (Ref. 45335).
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 40 m (Ref. 1602). Tropical; 30°N - 30°S
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 12.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 559)
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to Knysna, South Africa (Ref. 4404) and east to the Line, Marquesan and Society islands, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe Island. Replaced by Plagiotremus ewaensis in the Hawaiian Islands (Ref. 37816).
Inhabit clear, coral-rich areas of lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 1602). Hide in deserted worm tubes or other small holes when alarmed (Ref. 1602, 48636). Feed on the skin, mucus and sometimes scales of other fishes by quick attacks. Juveniles mimic the cleaner wrasse Labroides dimidiatus (Ref. 9710). According to Ref. 53299 they are facultative mimics that change their color: at cleaning stations they mimic the cleaner wrasse and attack unsuspecting customers; elsewhere they adopt an alternative color and striping pattern to conceal themselves among fish shoals from which they can strike at passing fish. Oviparous (Ref. 205). Eggs are demersal and adhesive (Ref. 205).
Randall, J.E., G.R. Allen and R.C. Steene, 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, Hawaii. 506 p.
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 90363)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Aquarium: commercial
More information
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Estimates of some properties based on empirical models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82805): PD
50 = 0.5005 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00381 (-0.16948 - 0.17710), b=3.22 (3.12 - 3.32), based on LWR estimates for species & family-BS (Ref.
93245).
Trophic Level (Ref.
69278): 4.5 ±0.80 se; Based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
69278): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low to moderate vulnerability (28 of 100) .