Labrisomus nuchipinnis is a diurnal bottom-dwelling sit-and-wait carnivorous fish that inhabits holes and rifts of rocky areas in tropical shallow waters. Here we report on the courtship behavior and spawning of this hairy blenny in southeastern Brazil, with a detailed description and comparison with other Blennioidei. Labrisomus nuchipinnis is a territorial species that was observed courting with more than one female, and presenting a well defined pattern cycle related to reproductive behavior and paternal egg care. Adhesive demersal eggs are laid on small algae-covered rocks at sites with increased current velocity within the male's territory, which may enable higher egg survivorship and shorter developmental time.
mating behavior; oviposition; parental care; blennies; South Atlantic
