Parablennius gattorugine (Linnaeus, 1758)
Tompot blenny
photo by Pilling, I.

Family:  Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies), subfamily: Salariinae
Max. size:  30 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 3 - 32 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Northeast Atlantic: Atlantic coast from Ireland to Morocco; also in the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Marmora. This species is present only in mainland Portugal (Ref. 13612). Although older papers reported this species from the Azores and Madeira, it has been concluded that the occurrences were misidentifications of Parablennius ruber (Ref. 13612).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 17-20; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 19-23. Gill membranes not forming fold across isthmus. Tentacles on nasal openings and above eyes. No canine teeth in upper jaw. Dentaries joined by ligament. Frontals not covered by parietals. Spawning males chocolate-brown, with bulb glands on spiny anal fin rays. Lateral line continuous with branches but discontinuous posteriorly.
Biology:  Active mainly during dusk and dawn (Ref. 5204). Adults live in rocky while young are found in shallow water in the seaweed zone. Oviparous (Ref. 205). Spawn in March - May. Male guards the eggs from several females, until larvae about 1 month (Ref. 35388). Eggs are demersal and adhesive (Ref. 205), and are attached to the substrate via a filamentous, adhesive pad or pedestal (Ref. 94114). Larvae are planktonic, often found in shallow, coastal waters (Ref. 94114).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 14 November 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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