Brown Sabretooth Blenny

Petroscirtes lupus

The Brown Sabretooth Blenny, Petroscirtes lupus, is a combtooth blenny inhabiting coral reefs in the western Pacific, including regions like Queensland, New South Wales, and New Caledonia. It reaches a maximum length of 13 cm and has a distinctive appearance with a variable coloration that ranges from greyish to brown or greenish. The blenny is characterized by six large dark blotches along its upper sides, complemented by white dots and dashes, and dark dots on its lower sides. Notably, it possesses two large canines in the lower jaw, which are used defensively, although it is not venomous. This species is typically found in shallow waters, with a depth range of 1 to 10 meters, often residing among seagrass beds, seaweed, or within the empty shells of mollusks. The Brown Sabretooth Blenny is oviparous, with females laying eggs on the inner surfaces of dead bivalve shells. The male blenny takes on the role of guarding these eggs. The larvae are planktonic and are frequently encountered in shallow coastal waters. Divers might encounter the Brown Sabretooth Blenny hiding among seagrasses or seaweeds. Despite its defensive canines, it is considered harmless to humans. The species is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.