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Montagu's blenny (Coryphoblennius galerita) — Blenniidae

Montagu's blenny

Coryphoblennius galerita
Family: Blenniidae
LC · Least Concern

The Montagu's blenny (Coryphoblennius galerita) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Montagu's blenny is a small, scaleless fish of the family Blenniidae reaching about 8 cm. Instead of the feathery tentacles above the eyes that many blennies have, this species bears a transverse skin crest across the head. The stout body is brownish and heavily mottled, good camouflage among stones and weeds. The species lives in tide pools and on shallow rocky shores of the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. It grazes mainly on the protruding feeding legs (cirri) of barnacles and on small invertebrates. The male defends a territory and guards the eggs laid in a crevice.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Montagu's blenny?

The Montagu's blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Montagu's blenny live?

The Montagu's blenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Montagu's blenny get?

The Montagu's blenny grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Montagu's blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Montagu's blenny is harmless to humans.

Is the Montagu's blenny edible?

The Montagu's blenny is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kuifslijmvis verified
English name
Montagu's blenny verified
Scientific name
Coryphoblennius galerita
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Montagu's blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
Yes verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Blenniidae

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