Peacock Blenny Identification Guide
Tell apart the Peacock Blenny by the male's tall head crest and the dark ocellated spot on its dorsal fin.
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Key identification features
- Olive-brown body with pale blotchy mottling, reaching about 20 cm
- Blunt head with small branched tentacles above each eye
- Breeding males develop a tall, fleshy crest running along the top of the head, used in courtship display
- A dark, ocellated (eye-like) spot sits near the front of the dorsal fin, especially visible in males
- Thick lips and a generally rounded head profile with a heavy-set body
- Females and non-breeding males appear plainer, lacking the crest and with a fainter dorsal spot
Common look-alikes
- Tompot Blenny: much larger with prominent branched eye tentacles but no head crest
- Shanny: lacks both the head crest and the ocellated dorsal spot, and has a smoother head profile
- Combtooth blennies in general: differ in lacking the crest-plus-eyespot combination unique to breeding male Peacock Blennies
Where you'll see one
Peacock Blennies occupy shallow rocky reefs, seagrass beds, and harbor structures around the Mediterranean, Black Sea, and adjacent northeastern Atlantic coasts, often guarding nest sites in crevices, empty shells, or discarded debris.
Frequently asked questions
How can I identify a male Peacock Blenny?
Breeding males grow a distinctive tall fleshy crest on top of the head along with a dark ocellated spot on the dorsal fin, features females lack.
How do I distinguish a Peacock Blenny from a Tompot Blenny?
The Tompot Blenny is larger with prominent branched eye tentacles but no head crest, while male Peacock Blennies show a raised crest and dorsal eyespot.