Animal Species:Brown Sabretooth Blenny, Petroscirtes lupus (De Vis, 1886)

As its standard name suggests, the Brown Sabretooth Blenny has a pair of long, recurved canines in the front of the lower jaw.

A Brown Sabretooth Blenny at North West Solitary Island

A Brown Sabretooth Blenny at North West Solitary Island
Ian Shaw © Ian Shaw

Alternative Name/s

Southern Sabretooth Blenny, Wolf Fangblenny

Identification

The species can be recognised by its blunt downward-pointing snout, white spots, dark lateral blotches which are separated by lighter areas, and its long-based dorsal fin.

Size range

The species grows to 13 cm in length.

Distribution

The Brown Sabretooth Blenny occurs in Australia and New Caledonia. In Australia it is known from Queensland to southern New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Petroscirtes lupus

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Brown Sabretooth Blenny specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It lives in sheltered bays and estuaries.  Individuals are often seen inside shells, bottles or cans.

Mating and reproduction

Female Brown Sabretooth Blennies often lay their eggs in empty mollusc shells. The eggs take about three weeks to hatch. During this time the males are sometimes seen guarding and fanning the eggs.

Classification

Species:
lupus
Genus:
Petroscirtes
Family:
Blenniidae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  2. Kuiter, R.H. in Gomon, M.F, Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
  3. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Crawford House Press. Pp. 437.
  5. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Brown Sabretooth Blenny, Petroscirtes lupus, Blenniidae, brown, green, yellow, 'normal fish', 10 cm - 30 cm, blotches/mottled, marine, adult, < 10 cm,