Depth
Parablennius · Bony Fish

Longstriped blenny

Parablennius rouxi

0-40m
Depth Range
Variable
Max Size
Mediterranean
Distribution
0-40m
Depth Range
Variable
Max Size
Reef & Open
Habitat
Carnivore
Diet
Solitary
Social
LC
IUCN Status
Moderate
Sighting Likelihood
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Actinopterygii
Genus Parablennius
Species rouxi

Bony Fish

Identification & Biology

  • IdentificationSmall blenny with an elongated body. Distinctive pale yellow-cream body with a prominent dark brown stripe running from snout to tail. Short, branched orbital tentacles.
  • SizeUp to 7 cm total length, commonly 4 to 5 cm.
  • Social HabitSolitary and territorial. Males guard egg patches in small holes and crevices.
  • HabitatRocky walls, overhangs, and cave entrances. Prefers shaded, vertical surfaces.
  • Depth5 to 40 m, most common between 10 and 30 m.
  • Feeds OnTiny invertebrates and algae picked from rock surfaces.
  • DistributionMediterranean Sea. An endemic species.
  • DescriptionA charming little blenny easily identified by its cream body and bold dark lateral stripe. It is a common sight on Mediterranean rocky walls, where it peeks from small holes with characteristic blenny curiosity. One of the more easily photographed small reef fish due to its habit of sitting boldly at the entrance of its shelter.

Range

Habitat & Distribution

Found across the Mediterranean, inhabiting reef & open environments. Active from the surface down to 40m depth.

Where Malta divers have spotted this species

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Sightings are logged by divers using our What Did You See? dive-log tool. View the full live sightings map.

Detail

Preferred Environment

Reef & Open habitats, typically at depths of 0-40m. Most commonly encountered by divers at the shallower end of its range.

Encounter Tips

Best approached slowly and calmly. Avoid casting shadows directly over the animal. Neutral buoyancy and patience increase encounter success significantly.

Longstriped blenny species card

Biology

Behaviour & Diet

Feeding Strategy

Grazes on algae, small crustaceans and detritus scraped from rocky surfaces with comb-like teeth.

Omnivore

Reproduction

Males court females into rock crevices where eggs are deposited and guarded. Breeding occurs from spring through summer.

Egg guarder

Behaviour & Defence

Retreats quickly into narrow rock crevices when threatened. Longitudinal stripes help break up the body outline against the substrate.

Crevice dweller

Dive with diveshack

Where to Encounter in Malta

The following dive sites offer strong habitat match for Parablennius rouxi. All are accessible on a guided dive with diveshack.

5-30m
North Malta

Cirkewwa

Rocky reef with caves, arches and ledges hosting a rich diversity of reef species.

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5-50m
Gozo

Blue Hole

One of the Med's most famous reef dive sites. Rocky walls and archways covered in life.

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18-36m
South Malta

Um El Faroud

The wreck lies on a sandy bottom surrounded by rocky reef -- a diverse habitat attracting reef species.

View dive site ›
IUCN Red List Least Concern

Conservation Status

This species is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Mediterranean populations face ongoing pressure from fishing activity, habitat degradation, and climate-driven changes to prey availability.

Source: iNaturalist Guide #888
by Lesley Clements (CC BY-SA)
diveshack Mediterranean Marine Life guide