blennie diabolo

Scientific name Parablennius incognitus
Descriptor Bath
Year of description 1968
IUCN category (World) LC
Family Blenniidae
Genus Parablennius
Parablennius incognitus Parablennius incognitus

Introduction

The diabolical blenny is a small fish found along the coasts of the Eastern Atlantic Ocean to the Black Sea. It is one of the most common species in the seaside.

Who is it?

Morphology

  • Average size
    6 cm
  • Maximum size
    8 cm
  • Shape
    Rectangular
  • Mimicry
    stone
  • Pattern
    horizontal stripes
  • Average size
    6 cm
  • Maximum size
    8 cm
  • Shape
    Rectangular
  • Mimicry
    stone
  • Pattern
    horizontal stripes

How to recognize This fish ?

The diabolical blenny is elongated, laterally compressed. The body is light beige to dark beige, sometimes marbled with red. Some rare male specimens may have a red coloration during the breeding season.

This species has 7 to 9 dark stripes on its sides. The nose is striped with thin blue and red bands, the upper lip is much more developed than the lower lip. The eyes are topped with 4 to 5 tentacles, the first of which is longer.

Sexual dimorphism

In addition to brighter colors during the breeding season, males have a more developed supraocular tentacle above each eye compared to females.

Behaviour & Life cycle

  • diet
    omnivorous with carnivorous tendency
  • Sociability
    solitary
  • territorial
    Yes
  • Way of living
    diurnal

The diabolical blenny is a solitary fish. Although it has a rather calm temperament with most species, it is less tolerant of males from the same family, especially during the breeding period.

Like other blennies, the lack of a swim bladder makes swimming in open water awkward; this species moves from one rock to another in short swimming periods.

Reproduction

  • Reproduction
    ovipare qui pond sur substrat caché

The Diabolical blenny is an oviparous fish that lays its eggs on covered substrate, in a cavity or shell, from May to July.

Males establish a territory around a chosen spawning area. They then display to each passing female. Once a partner is chosen, the females lay eggs in the cavity. The male, after fertilizing the eggs, guards the eggs until hatching.

The larvae are then pelagic.

Harmless species

This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.

Origin and distribution

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : LC

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Depth
    0 - 2 m

Biotope presentation

The diabolical blenny is most commonly found between one and two meters deep. It is generally encountered on or between rocks along the seaside.

This species is not very shy.

Species of the same biotope

Fishkeeping

Not recommended

We do not recommend keeping this species in an aquarium. It has unpredictable needs which, if not met, generate significant stress, potentially leading to a shorter life expectancy, an interruption of its growth or the development of pathogens.

To go further

Species of the same family

To read on the web

Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Adrien Falzon

Adrien Falzon

Benoit Chartrer

Benoit Chartrer

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.

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Template and content © Fishipedia - Unauthorized reproduction without prior request - ISSN 2270-7247 - Last modification 11/11/2023

Scientific partners

Species of the same family

Same genus

Species of the same biotope

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