Animal Species:Horned Blenny, Parablennius intermedius (Ogilby, 1915)

The Horned Blenny has a broad blunt snout, and a multilobed tentacle above both eyes. The species is endemic to Australia.

Horned Blenny at Bowen

Horned Blenny at Bowen
Phil Mercurio © Phil Mercurio

Alternative Name/s

False Tasmanian Blenny

Identification

The Horned Blenny has a broad blunt snout, and a multilobed tentacle above both eyes. Its colouration varies from pale to grey-brown. There are yellowish-brown, reddish to black spots on the head and dark blotches on the sides of the body.

Size range

The species grows to 12 cm.

Distribution

The Horned Blenny is endemic to Australia, occurring from northern Queensland to southern New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Parablennius intermedius

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Horned Blenny specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It lives in coastal reefs and estuaries where it is commonly seen in small groups, often on jetty pylons.

Classification

Species:
intermedius
Genus:
Parablennius
Family:
Blenniidae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  2. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags Fishes, Ichthyology, Horned Blenny, Parablennius intermedius, Blenniidae, brown, white, yellow, black, odd-shaped, 10 cm - 30 cm, dots/spots, stripes or bands, coral reef, marine, adult,