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Blenniiformes (Blennies) >
Labrisomidae (Labrisomids)
Etymology: Malacoctenus: Greek, malakos = soft + Greek, kteis, ktenos = comb (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: This is a toponym referring to the Pearl Islands (Archipiélago de las Perlas) in the Gulf of Panama; the type locality. (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
More on author: Fowler.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; demersal. Tropical
Eastern Pacific Ocean: from Panama and Costa Rica. Former subspecies Malacoctenus margaritae mexicanus elevated to species level (Ref. 82814).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 6.5 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 11482)
Malacoctenus margaritae differs from Malacoctenus mexicanus by the following characters: symphysial pores 1-4, usually 2-4 (vs. 1-4, usually 1); scales between anterior lateral line and the dorsal contour 3-4, usually 3 (vs. 4-5, usually 4); length of the third pelvic-fin ray is shorter and body marking is considerably more distinct in Malacoctenus margaritae (Ref. 82814).
Feeds on invertebrates.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Allen, G.R. and D.R. Robertson, 1994. Fishes of the tropical eastern Pacific. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu. 332 p. (Ref. 11482)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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