Redside Blenny
Trambollo Rojo
(Malacoctenus hubbsi)

Redside Blenny, Malacoctenus hubbsi: The Redside Blenny has an overall brown appearance with dark molting on its sides. It is characterized by having 20 dorsal fin spines, 11 dorsal fin rays, 19 to 21 anal fin rays, and 14 pectoral fin rays.

The Redside Blenny has dark vertical bars on its sides and a horizontal mid-flank color change. Males are red-brown in color with red bellies. Females are brown above the mid-flank and pinkish red below (as pictured below).

A key to identification of the Redside Blenny is that it lacks scales on the midline in front of the dorsal fin. It has a pointed snout and protruding eyes.

This fish species is a shallow water, diurnal, highly territorial predator that feeds mostly on bethic crustaceans including small crabs. It is found in the first 25 feet of the water column over and within weed-covered rocky structure. It reaches a maximum length of 3.5 inches.

The Redside Blenny can be easily confused with several other blennies.

Distribution in Mexico fishing areas

In Mexican fishing waters the Redside Blenny is found south of Guerrero Negro along the Pacific side of Baja California, throughout the Sea of Cortez, and along the coast of the Mexican mainland south of Acapulco. It is absent from around Mexico's oceanic islands. Due to its small size and rarity the Redside Blenny is of limited interest to most.

The Redside Blenny is a member of the Labrisomidae Family whose members are known in Mexico as trambollos. The labrisomids form the largest and most diverse group of blennioid fishes found in Mexican waters. They are small fishes characterized by having prominent head cirri, well-developed scales, conical jaw teeth and drab colorations. They are highly secretive bottom dwellers that stay close to shelter. At present there are approximately 100 species of Labrisomids known globally of which 23 species are found in Mexican waters. The Redside Blenny is of the Malacoctenus Genus of which there are 18 known species of which seven are found in Mexican fishing areas.

Redside Blenny picture

Redside Blenny, Malacoctenus hubbsi: Female. Provided during fishing by Mexican panguero bait salesmen, January 2008, La Playita, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico. Size approximately 1 inch. Fish identification courtesy of H.J. Walker, Jr., Scripps Institute of Oceanography, La Jolla, Calif. Description and photo courtesy of John Snow.

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