Tompot Blenny Parablennius gattorugine

The Tompot Blenny is native to shallow coastal waters of the northeastern Atlantic, from the UK to northern Africa, including the Mediterranean. They are marked with a stripey pattern for camouflage but males become darker when breeding. They have a "crest" of two branched "antlers" and grow large for blennies - up to a foot (30cm) in length. Fins are often tipped with orange.

They are called "comb-toothed" blenies as they have a comb of sharp teeth to scrape anemones off rocks. Males are territorial and will protect their hiding hole where a female may lay eggs; the male will then fertilise and protect the eggs until they hatch.