About Petroscirtes fallax Smith-Vaniz, 1976
Species Nomenclature and General Habitat
Petroscirtes fallax, commonly known as the deceiver fangbelly or yellow saberetooth blenny, is a species of combtooth blenny that inhabits coral reefs in the western Pacific Ocean.
Maximum Size
This species grows to a maximum total length of 9.5 centimetres (3.7 inches).
Base Body Coloration and Markings
It is a small blenny species with a body that ranges in colour from yellow to whitish, marked with three longitudinal black stripes.
Longitudinal Stripe Detail
The lowest of these stripes extends onto the base of the pectoral fin, but does not reach the base of the anal fin.
Mimicry Hypothesis
Researchers think this species may be a Batesian mimic of the Lined Fangblenny, Meiacanthus lineatus, which has a pair of venomous canine-shaped teeth in its lower jaw.
