Description: This is a small blenny with adults attaining a maximum length of approximately 8.5cm. It has a characteristic fleshy crest on top of its head. At the top of the crest and on the nape behind it there is a row of small, fine tentacles. There is a conspicuous dip in the middle of the dorsal fin. The colour is usually olive green to brown with tiny bluish-white spots.

Habitat: Montagu's blenny is a shore fish which lives in exposed coralline rockpools on the mid and upper shore. It feeds on barnacles and small planktonic crustaceans.

Distribution: This species is restricted to south-west Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: The distinctive head crest and also the habitat should distinguish this species from any other.

Key Identification Features:

• Single fringed crest on top of head
• Row of fine tentacles behind crest
• Conspicuous dip in middle of dorsal fin
• Small size
• Restricted to coralline rockpools on mid and upper shore

Distribution Map from NBN: Coryphoblennius galerita at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Coryphoblennius galerita at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Coryphoblennius galerita at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Coryphoblennius galerita (Linnaeus, 1758). AphiaID: 126762.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Chordata; Vertebrata; Gnathostomata; Osteichthyes; Actinopterygii; Actinopteri; Teleostei; Blenniiformes; Blenniidae; Salariinae; Coryphoblennius