Montagu's Blenny
 

Common Name(s): Montagu's Blenny,  Capuchin Blenny. Scientific Name: Coryphoblennius galerita Family: Blennidae  Usual Size: 85 mm  Photograph by Ron Barrett

Identification: A small  blenny, elongate small fish of a large family of fishes that live in rocky areas in shallow water. All true blennies have a continuous dorsal fin; the first dorsal fins are spiny and the remainder are soft. The pectoral finds are relatively large. The pelvic fin is in a jugular position.  Distinguished by the single lappet over the eye. Usually green with black mottling and blue spots.  If the small green blenny lacks a lappet over the eye it is the similar common and widespread Lipophrys pholis.  Similar species:   Parablennius gattorugine (Tompot Blenny), Blenny Lipophrys pholis.  The presence of the eye lappet is definitive. See link below.  More Images Breeding:  Summer, in very shallow water, sometimes intertidal.  Habitat: Rocky areas below low water mark,  intertidal (mid-shore and below) spring to autumn, under rocks, in crevices and rock pools, especially the juveniles.  Food: Small invertebrates including acorn barnacles.  Range:  South and west British coasts. Local distribution.  Reports of its most easterly distribution up the north and south coasts of the English Channel required.  Report from Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset, 0.5 metres, mid-tide, appeared to be feeding on algal encrustations on rocks, just west of Washing Ledge, 19 August 1998 (Simon Runner) EMail: scanman@pncl.co.uk 29 August 2004 Julian Wynn caught this fish at Trefin, Pembrokeshire.  Link: Blenny Portal for Wildlife (general wildlife from Wales) Additional Notes: Uncommon British fish at the northernmost part of its range.  Information wanted: Please send any records of this fish, with location, date, who discovered it, how it was identified, prevalence, common name and any other details to Shorewatch Project EMail Glaucus@hotmail.com.  All messages will receive a reply.    Tompot Blenny (left), Montagu's Blenny (right)  Photographs by Ron Barrett   Shorewatch Project  Link: Blennies.htm Differences between Blennies & Gobies   Information supplied by Andy Horton (British Marine Life Study Society)