Kingdom Animalia Order Perciformes Genus Parablennius Higher classification Parablennius | Phylum Chordata Family Blenniidae Scientific name Parablennius gattorugine Rank Species | |
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Similar Parablennius, Blennies, Combtooth blenny, Lipophrys, Blennius | ||
Tompot blenny scuba diving ireland
The tompot blenny (Parablennius gattorugine) is a medium-sized blenny growing to about 30 centimetres (12 in), part of the large family of blennies that live on the seabed of rocky areas in shallow water (down to 20 metres or 66 feet). The tompot blenny is found on the northern, western and southern coasts of Great Britain and is unusual on the east coast, although it has been seen on wrecks off the North Norfolk coast. The species is also present in mainland Portugal, in the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmora, and around the Azores and Madeira. The fish are very inquisitive and are often seen by scuba divers.
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Description
Tompots are usually a deep brown/orange, and are distinguished by a pair of lappets (tentacles) above the eyes and seven or more darker stripes along the body. It feeds on sea anemones or crustaceans.
Parasites
As most fish, tompots harbour several species of parasites, including the capillariid Nematode Pseudocapillaria bainae. This parasite has been found in the intestine of specimens caught off Italy and Montenegro. Its biology is unknown.
