BLENNY

Family Blennidae

This is a large family of small fish which live around coastal waters and share common characteristics. They like rocky crevices and tend to perch near the entrances of them. Most have fleshy appendages above their high set eyes and, although they resemble gobies, they have shorter blunt heads, prominent lips and pectoral fins, which are more like feet. Other differing characteristics are the single or triple dorsal fin. They lie in a flexed position. They are curious fish and can be approached quite easily, but slowly.

TOMPOT BLENNY

Parablennius gattorugine

One of the largest and gaudiest blennies, it has a thick set body tapering to a slender tail. The forehead is high and convex and it has two very conspicuous appendages above the eyes, resembling fleshy antlers. It grows to 25cm (10in) and has seven wide, dark-brown, vertical bands on the body, which is varicoloured from brown to tan and red. Ecology: It is a wide-ranging species and loves to inhabit small holes with only its head protruding.

PIXILATED BLENNY

Parablennius pilicornis

This species grows to 12cm (5in) and can exhibit very similar colour markings to that of the Striped Blenny (see here). However, the Pixilated Blenny shows two horizontal bands, with the second band running along the base of the dorsal fin. It has variable brown vertical markings and short fleshy ‘horns’ above the eyes. Ecology: This fish enjoys algae-covered rocks and often hides in old worm holes or empty shells.

STRIPED BLENNY

Parablennius rouxi

The Striped Blenny grows to 8cm (3in) and has a single, broad, dark strip, which traverses the length of the body from the blunt forehead, across the eyes and along to the tail juncture. It has a fairly white body with creamy spots above the longitudinal line. This species also exhibits ‘horns’ and these are quite long and tri-lobed. Ecology: It likes shallow, well-lit, warm waters and is quite at home in the surf zone as well as in harbour areas. It tends to hide in old worm or snail holes and is quite timid.

STAGHORN BLENNY

Parablennius zvonimiri

This species when viewed from the front resembles both the Tompot Blenny and the Striped Blenny, as it has quite long, fleshy appendages above the prominent eyes. These are longer than the Striped Blenny’s and not as intricate as the Tompot Blenny’s. It grows to 7cm (3in) and is quite common in the Adriatic and around the Greek islands. It is only when it comes out of its hole that the brilliant white spots along the underside of the dorsal fin can be seen. Ecology: This species prefers low light conditions and is more common in deeper water or at least the entrances to caverns or under rocks.

PEACOCK BLENNY

Salaria pavo

This is a curious-looking fish with a high-browed domed head with circular blue or white markings behind the eye and bright blue or white, thin, vertical stripes and dashes along its brown and cream flanks. Larger than some of the other species, it grows to 13cm (5in) and has a slightly down-turned mouth. Ecology: A rarely seen species, it enjoys seagrass meadows and algae-covered rocks. It is quite happy in a variety of depths and is more likely to be out in the open, perched in plain sight.

YELLOW TRIPLEFIN

Tripterygion delasii

The appearance of the territorial, sexually mature male is what gives the species its name. Very obviously recognized by its black head and vivid yellow-golden body, it has a long snout and three obvious dorsal fins. Its adapted pelvic fins are also black. It grows to 9cm (3½in) and is widely spread throughout the region. Ecology: It likes to perch at curious angles on algae-encrusted rocks and is able to move quite quickly when approached. The species is very territorial and will actively defend its territory against all other males.

SMALL TRIPLEFIN

Tripterygion melanurus

The Small Triplefin has three distinct dorsal fins and a black blotch surrounded by white at the tail and another white blotch between the second and third dorsal fins. The pectoral fins are speckled white and the species grow to only 5cm (2in). Ecology: This species of blenny has many different colour forms and can be quite difficult to identify. It lives amidst the fuzzy, algae-covered rocks and likes very shallow, warm, well-lit water.

SMALL TRIPLEFIN

Tripterygion melanurus minor

Sometimes referred to as Tripterygion xanthosoma, this small blenny is almost identical in nature and habit to its cousin, except for the coloration. More readily found in the Adriatic around Croatia, this subspecies appears to be spreading throughout the Mediterranean and may well be considered as a full species. Ecology: This species is determined by the lack of the distinct black spot or dash on the tail.