Malacoctenus versicolor (Poey 1876)

Diagnosis: The modal fin-ray count of D-XVIII,12 A-II,18 and P-14 indicates Malacoctenus versicolor and several Labrisomus species, including L. nuchipinnis, L. conditus, and L. cricota. M. versicolor can be distinguished from the latter species by the dorsal-fin profile, with the first spine always the longest (vs. shorter than the others in L. nuchipinnis and L. conditus) and the third-to-last dorsal-fin spine short (three times into the longest soft ray) vs. half or more in the three Labrisomus, as well as a smaller mouth (maxilla not past the midpoint of the eye). The 19-spined Labrisomus species can sometimes overlap the fin-ray count, but they also have distinctly larger mouths (maxilla past the midpoint of the eye). The fin-ray count also (barely) overlaps with the chaenopsid blenny Coralliozetus cardonae, which are much smaller at all stages and have only 3-4 procurrent caudal fin rays (vs. 6-8). (DNA) Ecology: The barfin blenny is a small blenny found in shallow coral and rocky areas and mixed habitats with complex structure and uncommonly observed or photographed by divers. Indeed, photographs on the web and in guidebooks are often the barred phase of M. macropus, including those in Humann's book and on the Smithsonian larval-fish website. Genuine barfin blenny photographs include those from St. Vincent by Keri Wilk (ReefNet) and from Eleuthera, Bahamas by Louis Johnson. The species is found mainly in Florida, the Bahamas, and the northern Caribbean islands; it is not recorded from the Gulf of Mexico or Bermuda and appears to be replaced by M. delalandii to the south of Belize and the lower Antilles, i.e. in Panama to Venezuela and mainland Brazil. Barfin blennies are infrequent in collections and are found in numbers only in rare localities, especially in the Bahamas. Their larvae are rare in collections. Description: Pre-transitional larvae: Body long, moderately narrow, and thin with a medium round eye, pointed snout, and small terminal mouth. Long continuous dorsal and anal fins with a very short and narrow caudal peduncle. Pectoral fins long, reaching past the vent, and pelvic fins long and thread-like. On the head there are several large melanophores along with several smaller melanophores, overlying all quadrants of the fore- and midbrain, usually more than 5 per side. There is a cheek melanophore on each side. There are no melanophores along the base of the dorsal fin, but there are several melanophores at the base of the upper and lower caudal-fin segmented rays. Along the ventral midline there is a melanophore at the isthmus and deep at the pelvic-fin base. Along the anal fin there is a melanophore at the base of each anal-fin soft ray, closely followed by two or three along the ventral midline of the caudal peduncle. Internal melanophores comprise only the basic complement: the nuchal midline, otic capsule, and overlying the abdominal organs. Transitional stage: M. versicolor larvae in transition develop lines and well-outlined patches of small surface melanophores over the head, notably with two thin lines extending down and slanted forward from the orbital rim at 6 o'clock. The metamorphic melanophores on the body form complex shapes and rings, some of which connect into narrow bars that extend uninterrupted over the dorsal fin to the edges of the membranes. Multiple long cirri form on the nape, over the eye, and over the nasal tube. Juveniles: M. versicolor juveniles have relatively narrow dark bars on the body that extend across the dorsal-fin membranes, notably not widening as they reach the edge of the fin. The bar under the last dorsal-fin spine is characteristically narrow and unbranched. The first three dorsal-fin spines are distinctly longer than all subsequent spines. Analogues: Several other Malacoctenus species can have larvae with the head speckled with 10 or more spots. M. triangulatus larvae usually have many more. The two species are similar in size and morphology, but can be separated by fin-ray counts: 18 dorsal-fin spines and 18-19 anal-fin soft rays in M. versicolor vs. 20 dorsal-fin spines and 20-21 anal-fin soft rays in M. triangulatus. In addition, M. versicolor larvae have an obvious third pelvic-fin ray about two-thirds the length of the second vs. less than half the second and often inconspicuous in M. triangulatus and a row of melanophores along the caudal-fin base vs. none or a single melanophore (at the base of the largest dorsal procurrent ray) in typical M. triangulatus larvae. M. gilli larvae can occasionally have similar numbers of head spots, but most have 20 dorsal-fin spines and they are smaller and lightly marked, with no melanophores along the caudal-fin base. M. boehlkei larvae also have numerous head spots, but have 33 dorsal-fin elements. Since the markings and size of M. versicolor larvae can be intermediate between typical Malacoctenus and Labrisomus, separation from Labrisomus larvae can be problematic. Several of the Labrisomus species that share fin-ray counts with M. versicolor are slimmer forms with smaller mouths that can share morphology with Malacoctenus: i.e. L. nuchipinnis, L. conditus, L. cricota, as well as the two small species, L. nigricinctus and L. albigenys; the latter two with fewer head melanophores and much shorter first dorsal-fin spines than M. versicolor. Larvae of L. nuchipinnis, L. conditus, and L. cricota differ primarily in having melanophores along the bases of the spinous and soft dorsal fins and a prominent U, V, or O-shape arrangement of large melanophores over the head. The 19-spined Labrisomus species can sometimes overlap the 18 dorsal-fin spine count, but they typically have melanophores along the dorsal-fin base and behind the tip of the upper jaw, as well as a different dorsal-fin profile as larvae, with shorter first spines and relatively longer posterior spines. L. haitiensis larvae share all of these differences (except the shorter first dorsal-fin spine) and also have higher fin-ray counts. Transitional M. versicolor larvae are distinguished by fin-ray counts, persistent larval melanophores, and their metamorphic melanophore pattern, especially the narrow bars on the body vs. wide inverted triangles in transitional M. triangulatus and generally wider bars or triangles, covering four or more dorsal-fin-spine bases, in the other barred Malacoctenus species. Some transitional M. macropus have a pattern of of ovals, but not organizing into long bars. Most transitional Labrisomus larvae have uniform metamorphic melanophore patterns without the sharply-outlined shapes of M. versicolor. The exception is L. haitiensis, whose larvae develop a similar pattern of well-delineated shapes, however their shapes do not connect and form long narrow bars (and they have higher fin-ray counts, a short third pelvic-fin ray, and a larger mouth). Juvenile M. versicolor are distinguished by their prominent narrow dark bars on the body which extend onto the dorsal fin membranes, but several other related species can share this character. An uncommon barred variant of juvenile M. macropus has the bars, but are distinguished by having long single cirri over the nape, eye, and nasal tube (vs. multiple in all congeners) and the bars under the last spines and first rays merge to form a Y or V-shape and the bars are often limited to the dorsal aspect. M. delalandii can appear very similar, sharing the bar pattern extending onto the dorsal fin, but their dark bars distinctly widen, meeting (or almost meeting) at the edges of the fin. They also have relatively shorter first dorsal-fin spines (the mid-fin spines are longer than the first) and one or two more dorsal-fin spines. Among the Labrisomus, L. cricota is the most similar to M. versicolor, with similar markings and also with a long first dorsal-fin spine, but the mouth is larger (maxilla past the midpoint of the eye), the second bar on the dorsal fin slants down and forward to the operculum, and the last bar on the spinous segment of the dorsal fin covers only spines (vs. the base of rays as well). L. conditus and L. nuchipinnis have short first dorsal-fin spines and the aforementioned bar differences. L. nigricinctus juveniles have prominent bars, but have an obvious large opercular ocellus. Other Labrisomus species can have similar narrow bars on the body extending onto the fins, but are separated by their blunt snouts and large mouths.

Common amongst Labrisomids: small, often elongate fishes; largest species about 20 cm SL, most under 10 cm SL. Head usually with cirri or fleshy flaps on anterior nostrils, eyes, and laterally on nape; gill membranes continuous with each other across posteroventral surface of head. Each jaw with an outer row of relatively large, canine-like or incisor-like teeth, often with patches of smaller teeth behind; teeth usually also present on vomer and often on palatines (roof of mouth). Dorsal and anal fins long, frequently highest anteriorly; dorsal-fin spines often flexible, outnumbering segmented dorsal-fin soft rays; 2 usually flexible spines in anal fin; pelvic fins inserted anterior to pectoral-fin bases, with 1 spine not visible externally and only 2 or 3 segmented rays; all fin rays, including those of caudal, unbranched (simple). Cycloid (smooth to touch) scales present at least posteriorly on body. Body coloration: varying from drab to brilliant hues; usually with irregular vertical bands, spots, or marbled pattern. Species distinguished by: dorsal fin consisting of spines usually 18 and 7 to 37 segmented rays; pectoral-fin rays usually 14; pelvic-fin soft rays 3 (innermost ray may be reduced in length and folded over middle ray); scales in lateral-line series 40 to 69 (some scales in posterior portion of lateral line may lack sensory tubes, but are included in count); total nasal cirri (both sides) usually more than 7; two or more cirri on each side of nape just anterior to dorsal-fin origin; combination of conspicuous dark spot on anterior dorsal-fin spines and a dark ocellus extending from bases of posterior dorsal-fin spines onto dorsal contour of body not present; no small teeth behind large teeth in outer row; pectoral-fin base scales, when present, smaller than those on body; length of shortest pelvic-fin ray (third ray very difficult to see) contained fewer than 4 times in length of longest ray; maxillary bone sheathed; teeth absent on palatines (Ref.52855).

Dorsal spines (total): 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 737; Analspines: 2

Inhabits shallow sandy and rocky areas of coral reefs. Feed on copepods, amphipods, delicate algae and occasionally of eggs of Abudefduf.

Inhabits shallow sandy and rocky areas of coral reefs (Ref. 9710). Feed on copepods, amphipods, delicate algae and occasionally of eggs of Abudefduf (Ref. 5521).

Malacoctenus versicolor, the Barfin blenny, is a species of labrisomid blenny native to the western Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea from southern Florida through the Antilles. It is an inhabitant of coral reefs preferring areas of rock or sand at depths of from near the surface to 7 metres (23 ft). This species can reach a length of 7.6 centimetres (3.0 in) TL.

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Malacoctenus versicolor Malacoctenus generoko animalia da. Arrainen barruko Labrisomidae familian sailkatzen da.