Summary: Murase & Sunobe (2011)

Tube blennies (Neoclinus bryope) are small fish that occupy rocky intertidal areas in Japan. Murase & Sunobe (2011) investigated territorial behaviour in this species, noting that males occupied small holes for spawning nests. These males maintained the nest area and excluded other males from entering. The area these males occupied was fairly small (approximately 30cm) and males showed aggressive behaviour to fish that intruded close to the nest holes. Males also actively removed threatening egg predators (such as carnivorous snails). Males do not leave nest holes during the courtship period, which Murase & Sunobe (2011) suggest could be related to the cost of maintaining a courtship territory. They maintain that tube blennies maintain territories around these small holes in order to guard eggs and protect food resources while remaining in the small space during the spawning season.