Tompot Blenny Identification Guide
Identify the Tompot Blenny by its large size, branched paired eye tentacles, and banded brown body.
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Key identification features
- One of the larger blennies, reaching up to about 30 cm
- Prominent, branched paired tentacles rising above each eye, larger and bushier than in related species
- Thick lips and a robust, slightly humped head profile
- Banded or blotched brown and cream body pattern that can darken or lighten with mood
- Single long dorsal fin running the length of the back, typical of combtooth blennies
- Large pectoral fins used to prop itself up while resting on rock ledges
- Small pale spots or flecks sometimes scattered across the head and flanks
Common look-alikes
- Peacock Blenny: notably smaller, with males showing a head crest rather than large branched eye tentacles
- Shanny: lacks prominent branched eye tentacles and is generally smaller and plainer
- Butterfly Blenny: smaller size and a spotted dorsal fin pattern instead of banding
Where you'll see one
Tompot Blennies inhabit rocky reefs, harbor walls, and kelp holdfasts across the northeastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, often peering out from crevices, pipes, or wreck structures with just the head visible.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell a Tompot Blenny from a Peacock Blenny?
Size and head features distinguish them: the Tompot Blenny is larger with prominent branched eye tentacles, while male Peacock Blennies instead grow a head crest.
What is the clearest field mark for a Tompot Blenny?
Its large, branched paired tentacles above each eye combined with its notably big size for a blenny make it easy to identify.