Montagu's Blenny
Coryphoblennius galerita
Montagu's Blenny is a small rocky-shore blenny of the NE Atlantic and Mediterranean, best known for living tight to wave-washed intertidal rocks. It shelters in crevices and pools, and is more often observed than targeted by anglers.
Identification points
- Small blenny with a blunt head and large eyes set high on the head.
- Continuous dorsal fin with a prominent forward crest, giving a 'helmeted' profile.
- Mottled brown, olive, or reddish body with a pale belly and pale bars/blotches on the flank.
Habitat
Shallow intertidal and very shallow subtidal rocky shores, especially tide pools, crevices, boulder fields, and algae-covered rock in the NE Atlantic and Mediterranean.
Bait notes
Rarely targeted as a sport fish. If taken by accident, tiny natural baits like shrimp, amphipod, worm bits, or mussel slivers can tempt it; very small soft plastics or micro-jigs worked near rock cover may also draw strikes.
Behavior
A territorial, bottom-dwelling grazer that feeds on small crustaceans, worms, and algae/film on rock. It darts into holes and cracks when disturbed and is most active around the tide line at low to moderate tide.
Caution
Sharp rocky-shore habitat can cause cuts and slips; use caution on wet algae-covered rocks. No major consumption hazard is widely noted for this small species, but it is not a common food fish and local collection rules may apply.
Fishing notes
Best approached with light rock-pool or micro-finesse tackle around tide pools and crevices. Present baits or tiny lures close to the bottom with minimal movement; avoid heavy gear and handle carefully to prevent losing fish into the rocks.