combtooth

Combtooth refers to the combtooth blennies, a common name for fishes in the family Blenniidae. These small, elongated marine fishes inhabit shallow coastal waters worldwide, particularly rocky shores and coral reefs. They are named for their distinctive dentition: dense, comb-like marginal teeth on the jaws that are adapted for scraping algae from rocks and for prying loose small invertebrates.

Anatomy and variation: Blennies typically have an elongated body, a continuous dorsal fin, and scaleless or sparsely scaled skin. The caudal fin is usually rounded. Sizes range from a few centimeters to around 20 centimeters depending on species. Many lack a swim bladder, which suits their bottom-dwelling lifestyle in crevices and among rocks.

Ecology and behavior: Most combtooth blennies are herbivores or omnivores, feeding on algae, small invertebrates, and detritus. They are often territorial, defending crevices or patches of algae. Reproduction generally involves males guarding adhesive eggs laid in crevices or under rocks; some species exhibit simple courtship.

Distribution and human relevance: Combtooth blennies occur worldwide in tropical and temperate seas, with high diversity in the Indo-Pacific. They are sometimes kept in home aquariums due to their hardiness and active, interesting behaviors. In their ecosystems, they contribute to algal control and serve as part of the habitat’s complex food web.