Coryphoblennius galerita

Coryphoblennius galerita is the only representative of the Coryphoblennius genus, which in turn is included in the Blenniidae family. It is a blennid that lives in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, and in the Atlantic Ocean from the north of Mauritania to Scotland, being present in the Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands. It inhabits very shallow rocky bottoms (<2 meters) and even intertidal pools, being very active during the day and especially during high tide.

The body of Coryphoblennius galerita is elongated (it can reach up to 8 cm in length) and slightly flattened laterally especially towards the back of its body. Its head is rounded, with large eyes located in the upper lateral part. Above them, Coryphoblennius galerita has a single tentacle slightly directed backwards, with denticulate edges and pinkish color. This tentacle is one of the main features that will allow us to distinguish this species from other blennids. Behind this tentacle, we find a series of 4 to 6 small filaments aligned backwards. In the lower part of the rostrum we find a small mouth bordered by thick lips with white ends. The skin of the body of this species lacks scales and uses mucus to protect it from the environment. As for the coloration of the body, the background color is pale brown, marked with numerous more or less irregular vertical stripes in reddish or olive green, as well as a multitude of small light blue or whitish spots.

The dorsal fin of Coryphoblennius galerita is incised, the anterior and posterior portions being more or less of equal height. The pectoral fins are highly developed, and are used to cling to rocky surfaces, while the pelvic fins are reduced and placed in jugular position. Finally, the caudal fin is rounded.

As for the diet of Coryphoblennius galerita, juveniles feed mainly on crustaceans (copepods and ostracods), while adult specimens tend to a diet almost exclusively on algae that cover the rocky surfaces.

During the months of May to August is when Coryphoblennius galerita specimens reproduce. During this time, the males change their body coloration and adopt a uniformly dark hue and the white coloration of the ends of the upper lip is accentuated. Males court females to attract them to their nests by a back-and-forth head bobbing motion. If they are successful, both go to the hole where they will lay their clutches, attaching them to the substrate by means of an adhesive filament. From then on, the male will be the only one in charge of taking care of the clutch. It is very common for a male to take care of the clutches laid by several females in his nest.


Photos:


References:
https://es.wikipedia.org

Author: (Linnaeus, 1758)
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Teleostei
Order: Blenniiformes
Family: Blenniidae
Genus: Coryphoblennius

Synonyms: Montagu’s blenny, Capuchin blenny
Non-accepted names: Bennius galerita; Blennius artedii; Blennius coquillad; Blennius galerita; Blennius montagui; Lioblennius galerita; Salaria symplocus; Salarias simplocos

Distribution: Atlantic, Black Sea, Mediterranean
Size: <8 cm
Depth: <2 m

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