Sabertooth Blenny

Plagiotremus azaleus

The Sabertooth Blenny is a reef-associated fish found in the tropical eastern Pacific, ranging from the Gulf of California to Peru, including the Galapagos Islands. It reaches a maximum length of 10 cm. This species is known for its unique feeding strategy, where it mimics the appearance of harmless fish like the rainbow wrasse to approach and nip at larger fish, feeding on their mucus and occasionally small bits of flesh. This behavior allows it to integrate into schools of other fish, making it an interesting species to observe during dives. Divers can encounter the Sabertooth Blenny at depths ranging from 2 to 23 meters, where it inhabits coral reefs. It is often found in empty tube-worm snail shells, with its head protruding from the opening. The blenny is oviparous, with males guarding the eggs attached to the walls of their shelters until they hatch. The larvae are planktonic and typically found in shallow coastal waters. The Sabertooth Blenny is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Divers may find it intriguing to watch this blenny's mimicry and feeding behaviors, making it a memorable sighting on a dive.