Surprise blenny
Parablennius incognitus
Special features
The Surprise blenny is tiny and excellently camouflaged; if you see it it hits you like a surprise.
Despite its camouflage colors, it is pretty to look at thanks to the delicate, bright blue spots and stripes.
Appearance
This type of blenny only grows to a maximum of 8cm in length.
It has an elongated body that narrows backward and a dorsal fin that runs along the entire back.
It has small tentacles over its red eyes.
The Surprise blenny is famous for its variable coloration; it changes depending on the surface on which it lives.
The males are light gray with yellow and green stripes.
The females are more reddish and have a white belly.
Along their flanks are a series of X-shaped stripes which, when you look closer, are composed of spots.
Natural enemies
Predatory fish
Dangerous/venomous
The Surprise blenny is neither dangerous nor venomous.
Sketch
1. Big hump
2. Red-brown, blue-bordered eyespot
Pro tips
The Surprise blenny lives on the ocean floor and forages on small crabs, other invertebrates, and algae. If you take the time to get to know a fish, you can always come back to your “friend” as they are territorial.
The females lay eggs in the territory of a male between May and July, which then protects them from other males.
The hatched larvae are so small that you barely see them swimming around in open water. Similar to other types of blenny, the Surprise blenny can breathe air if necessary.
Pic: Dive Dict
Text: Felician Hosp, Carolina Leiter, Pia Balaka
Illustration: Dive Dict
