About Petroscirtes lupus (De Vis, 1885)
Common Name and Taxonomy
Petroscirtes lupus, commonly known as the wolf fangbelly, is a species of combtooth blenny that inhabits coral reefs in the western Pacific Ocean.
Size
This species can grow to a total length of 13 centimetres, which equals 5.1 inches.
Body Coloration
It is a variably colored blenny, appearing greyish, brown, or greenish. It has six large dark blotches, plus white dots and dashes on its upper sides, and dark dots on its lower sides.
Jaw and Defense Traits
It has two large canines in its lower jaw that it uses for defence. While the species is not venomous, it is known to bite when handled.
Habitat
Wolf fangbellies live among seagrass beds, seaweed, or empty mollusc shells.
Reproduction
Females of the species lay their eggs on the inside of mollusc shells, and males guard the eggs.
