Animal Species:Leopard Blenny, Exallias brevis (Kner, 1868)

The species is white with small spots on the head, body and fins. It occurs throughout the Indo-Pacific.

Alternative Name/s

Pink-spotted Blenny, Shortbodied Blenny

Identification

The Leopard Blenny has a fringe of cirri running across the nape and a branched tentacle above both eyes.The species is white with small spots on the head, body and fins. The spots are brown in females and juveniles. Males have brown spots on the head and abdomen but red spots on the rest of the body. The dorsal and caudal fins of males are usually red. E. brevis is the only species in the genus Exallias.

Size range

The Leopard Blenny grows to 14 cm in length.

Distribution

It occurs throughout the Indo-Pacific. In Australia it is recorded from the central coast of Western Australia around the tropical north of the country and south to southern Queensland.

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.

Exallias brevis

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Leopard Blenny specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

The species is found on coral reefs.

Feeding and Diet

It eats coral polyps.

Classification

Species:
brevis
Genus:
Exallias
Family:
Blenniidae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
  3. 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.
  4. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557. (as Shortbodied Blenny)

 


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags Fishes, Ichthyology, Leopard Blenny, Exallias brevis, Blenniidae, brown, red, 10 cm - 30 cm, dots/spots, marine, adult,