Teleostei (teleosts) >
Blenniiformes (Blennies) >
Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies) > Blenniinae
Etymology: Plagiotremus: Greek, plagios = oblique + Greek, trema = hole (Ref. 45335).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 10 m (Ref. 90102). Tropical
Indian Ocean.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 8.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 2272)
Dorsal spines (total): 7 - 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 27 - 29; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 20 - 23. Pale grey body, dorsal fin with black submarginal stripe. Pectoral rays typically 12; large curved canine tooth posteriorly on side of lower jaw; interorbital pores 1-2; body depth about 8.0 in SL. Maximum size to 5.1 cm TL (Ref. 90102).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated; Cross section: oval.
Adults are found solitary in coastal, lagoon, and outer reefs, 1-10 m deep (Ref. 90102). Oviparous. Eggs are demersal and adhesive (Ref. 205), and are attached to the substrate via a filamentous, adhesive pad or pedestal (Ref. 94114). Larvae are planktonic, often found in shallow, coastal waters (Ref. 94114). A mimic of Meiacanthus smithi (Ref. 9710).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Oviparous, distinct pairing (Ref. 205).
Smith-Vaniz, W.F., 1987. The saber-toothed blennies, tribe Nemophini (Pisces: Bleniidae): an update. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. 139:1-52. (Ref. 7401)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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