Dentex Blenny

Ecsenius dentex is a species of combtooth blenny found exclusively in the tropical marine environments of the Gulf of Aqaba, the Gulf of Suez, and the northwestern 🌊 Red Sea. This small fish, reaching a maximum length of 4.8 centimeters (1.9 inches), primarily feeds on benthic algae and weeds found on the ocean floor.

These fish inhabit shallow waters, ranging from 1 to 4 meters (3 to 13 feet) deep. They have a complex dorsal fin structure with 11 to 13 spines and 13 to 15 soft rays, while the anal fin consists of 2 spines and 15 to 17 soft rays. Ecsenius dentex typically lacks a lateral line with vertical pairs of pores. Notably, the species has a high number of dentary incisor teeth, which include canine-like teeth that are similar in appearance to incisors, with males having 49 to 59 teeth and females having 53 to 63 teeth on average.

Ecsenius dentex is oviparous, meaning that the female lays eggs. These eggs are demersal and adhesive, attaching to the substrate with a fiber-like pad or pedestal. After hatching, the larvae are planktonic, commonly found in shallow coastal waters. The reproduction process involves distinct pairing of mating individuals.

The name "Ecsenius" comes from Greek, alluding to something uncontrolled, while "dentex" refers to the species’ prominent characteristic of having numerous teeth, a defining feature within the Yaeyamaensis Group.