Hairy Blenny

The fish prefer shallow water between 0 - 3 metres (9.8 ft), although they have been recorded up to 22 m (72 ft) deep. They are often found in the bottom water column. The fish are reef associated fish, found in coral, rock, and oyster reefs with water temperatures between 18.8 - 30.1 °C (65.84 - 86.18 °F). L. nuchipinnis lay benthic eggs, or eggs laid directly onto the seafloor. However, larvae are pelagic and planktonic. The fish exhibit paternal behavior, seen guarding and nesting. The fish are polygynous and batch spawners (to increase likelihood of successful offspring). However, courtship and mating tends to follow a similar pattern. The fish begin by identifying a prospective individual, which is followed by arousal through nudging (initiated by the female). The fish continue to court the other until the female lays eggs. The eggs, spherical and orange in color, are then externally fertilized by the male. Males have been noticed fanning the nest after this display.