Sealife guideThe black-faced blennyTripterygion delaisi

Last updated on 09/07/2024 at 01:43 PM

Taxonomy

English names Black-faced blenny

French namesTriptérigyon jaune

Scientific nameTripterygion delaisi (Cadenat & Blache, 1970)

FamilyTripterygiidae

OrderPerciformes

ClassActinopterygii

Description

The black-faced blenny is a small fish that measures barely 4 inches in length. The black-faced blenny has an elongated, slender body topped with three dorsal fins.

During the breeding season, the male black-faced blenny is distinguished by its black head, yellow body, and a thin blue stripe that adorns its dorsal fins

Geographic range

The black-faced blenny is found in the Mediterranean sea, the English Channel, the eastern Atlantic ocean and along the western coast of Africa as far south as Senegal, including Madeira and the Canary islands.

Habitat

It is typically found from the surface down to a depth of about 130 feet but it is more commonly seen in shallow areas around 30 feet deep. The black-faced blenny lives along the coast on rocky bottoms, scree or at the entrances to rocky crevices.

Diet

The black-faced blenny primarily feeds on small crustaceans.

The black-faced blenny is particularly fond of shallow water

Reproduction

During the breeding season, the male dons its breeding colors which are characterized by a black head, a yellow body and a thin blue stripe that borders its dorsal fins.

Did you know ?

The black-faced blenny is listed as many other marine species within The IUCN Red List of threatened species. The black-faced blenny appears in the IUCN Red List since 2014 within the category Least Concern !