Bicolor Blenny
Ecsenius bicolor
Peacock Blenny
Salaria pavo
About
The peacock blenny hides in rocky crevices and holes, only its head poking out to watch the water above. It is a small fish, growing to a maximum of 13 cm long.
- Length
- 13 cm
How to tell it apart
Many small blennies look alike tucked into a crevice, but a breeding male peacock blenny stands out with the raised crest running along the top of his head.
Appearance
Mature males develop a raised crest along the top of the head and a small gland near the base of the anal fin. Smaller sneaker males lack these features and look more like females.
Habitat
Peacock blennies live in the intertidal zone and shallow water, on rocks or sand among pebbles and plants. They often tolerate brackish water and shelter in crevices or old piddock holes, sometimes staying above the waterline in their cavity at low tide.
Breeding
A nesting male guards his nest and cares for the eggs rather than actively courting females. Smaller sneaker males mimic female behaviour to slip past the nesting male and fertilise eggs without building a nest of their own. Eggs stick to the nest surface once laid.
Did you know?
Some male peacock blennies skip nest-building entirely and instead mimic female behaviour to sneak past a rival male and fertilise his eggs.
Log it in Into the Blue
Describe what you saw and we name it, then keep every species you find in your Oceandex.
