Coryphoblennius galerita (Linnaeus, 1758)

Montagu's Blenny

Description: This is a small blenny with adults attaining a maximum length of approximately 8.5cm. It has a characteristic fleshy crest on top of its head. At the top of the crest and on the nape behind it there is a row of small, fine tentacles. There is a conspicuous dip in the middle of the dorsal fin. The colour is usually olive green to brown with tiny bluish-white spots.

Habitat: Montagu's blenny is a shore fish which lives in exposed coralline rockpools on the mid and upper shore. It feeds on barnacles and small planktonic crustaceans.

Distribution: This species is restricted to south-west Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: The distinctive head crest and also the habitat should distinguish this species from any other.

Key Identification Features:

• Single fringed crest on top of head
• Row of fine tentacles behind crest
• Conspicuous dip in middle of dorsal fin
• Small size
• Restricted to coralline rockpools on mid and upper shore

Distribution Map: NBN map : National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

WoRMS: Species record : World Register of Marine Species.

iNaturalist: Species account : iNaturalist World Species Observations database