Kingdom Animalia Order Perciformes Genus Blennius Higher classification Blennius | Phylum Chordata Family Blenniidae Scientific name Blennius ocellaris Rank Species | |
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Similar Blennius, Combtooth blenny, Blennies, Tompot blenny, Montagu's blenny | ||
The butterfly blenny, Blennius ocellaris, is a small marine blenniid fish of Northern and Western Europe, as well as the Mediterranean and Black Seas and Morocco. It can grow as large as 20 centimetres (7.9 in) in length. It is usually found at a depth of 10–400 metres (33–1,312 ft) down, especially in areas with a rocky floor.
Contents
Description
The butterfly blenny has 11–12 dorsal spines, 14–16 dorsal soft rays, 2 anal spines and 15–16 anal soft rays. It has tentacles on the nasal opening, above the eye and on the nape near the first dorsal fin ray. The lateral line is discontinuous. The forward part of the dorsal fin is much higher than the remainder of it.
Reproduction
It spawns in late spring (as late as June in the English Channel) and hides the eggs under an abandoned shell; the male guards the eggs.