Fish
Tompot Blenny
Parablennius gattorugine
From a hole in a rock face on a south-western reef, a tompot blenny pokes out its tentacled head and stares back at the passing diver.
Overview
The tompot blenny, Parablennius gattorugine, is a Least Concern blenny of rocky reefs in the north-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Its tentacles, banded body, and bold, curious behaviour make it a favourite of divers around Britain and Ireland.
A fish with a front-row seat
By sitting at the mouth of a crevice, the tompot blenny can watch for prey and danger and dart back to safety at the first sign of a predator.
Status
Least Concern, common on suitable reefs.
Tompot Blenny: common questions
What are the tentacles on a tompot blenny?
They are a pair of branched, fringe-like tentacles above its eyes, which give the fish its characteristic look.
Does the tompot blenny live in crevices?
Yes, it sits in a crevice or hole in the rocks with only its head out, watching passing animals and divers.
Who guards the tompot blenny's eggs?
The male guards the eggs, which are laid in a crevice or hole in the rocks, until they hatch.
Where is the tompot blenny found?
It lives on rocky reefs along the Atlantic coasts of western Europe, from Britain and Ireland south to Morocco, and in the Mediterranean.