Tompot blenny (Parablennius gattorugine)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Parablennius gattorugine
- Common name
- Tompot blenny
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Blenniidae
- Genus
- Parablennius
- Size
- 15–30 cm
- Depth
- 0–32 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef, tidepool
- Behaviours
- solitary, territorial
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Mediterranean
Description
Parablennius gattorugine reaches 30 cm, one of the largest Mediterranean blennies. Elongated brown-green to fawn-brown body with irregular marbled patterns, two large bushy fringed characteristic supraorbital tentacles on head. Lives from 0 to 32 m on coastal rocks, scree and tidepools of Mediterranean and East Atlantic. Highly territorial. Predator of invertebrates. Classic macro photo subject of shallow Med dives for its expressive face.
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Tompot blenny?
- Tompot blenny (Parablennius gattorugine) reaches 15–30 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Tompot blenny?
- Tompot blenny is found between 0–32 m deep.
- Is the Tompot blenny dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Tompot blenny?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Tompot blenny?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Mediterranean.
Other species in the genus Parablennius
Other species in the family Blenniidae
- Ophioblennius macclurei - Redlip blenny
- Ophioblennius steindachneri - Panamic fanged blenny
- Salaria pavo - Peacock blenny
- Lipophrys trigloides - Triglid blenny
- Aidablennius sphynx - Sphynx blenny
- Exallias brevis - Leopard blenny
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 126770)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2395767)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia