Malacoctenus carrowi Wirtz, 2014
photo by Wirtz, P.

Family:  Labrisomidae (Labrisomids)
Max. size:  3.46 cm SL (male/unsexed); 3.23 cm SL (female)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 11 - 13 m
Distribution:  Eastern Central Atlantic: Cape Verde Islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 20-20; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 19-19. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D XX+10; A II+19; pectoral 14 soft rays; ventrals three soft rays; the length of shortest pelvic ray is more than half the length of the longest pelvic ray; lateral line scales 55-56; presence of prepectoral scales which are considerably smaller than scales on body; belly scaled except breast area; colour pattern dominated by 6 vertical bars on the body, delineated in straight vertical lines; these bands barely enter the dorsal fin; transparent dorsal fin membranes (Ref. 98055).
Biology:  Collected using anaesthetic (quinaldine or clove) oil sprayed into horizontal cracks in rock faces or below large stones at about 10-13 m depth. Additional animals were seen when overturning big stones at 10-16 m and one individual was photographed at night, resting on open rock in water only 3 m deep (Ref. 98055).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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