Peacock Blenny

Salaria pavo

Peacock Blenny (`Salaria pavo`) is a colorful intertidal blenny of shallow Mediterranean and nearby eastern Atlantic coasts. Males develop bright blue-green spotting and court in crevices or empty shells; it is a tiny, mostly non-target fish for anglers.

Saltwater

Peacock Blenny reference image — DmitTrix, cc-by, via Wikimedia Commons. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Identification points

Male with vivid blue-green spotting and a reddish/orange head and body tones during breeding
Long continuous dorsal fin with prominent front spiny section
Blunt head with thick lips and mottled brown-to-olive body in females and juveniles

Habitat

Shallow rocky shores, tide pools, eelgrass and algal beds, and harbors with hard cover; often under stones, in crevices, or among dense vegetation in the lower intertidal and very shallow subtidal.

Bait notes

Not a standard game fish. If targeted for observation or novelty, small pieces of shrimp, worm, or amphipod/sand-hopper imitations can take bites; tiny soft plastics or baited micro-jigs work best.

Behavior

Benthic and territorial, hugging cover and darting out to pick at algae, small crustaceans, and other invertebrates. Males guard nests in holes or shells and can be conspicuous when displaying.

Caution

Handle carefully around rocky intertidal habitat to avoid slips and cuts. Check local rules before collecting; some areas restrict removal of intertidal fishes.

Fishing notes

Use ultra-light tackle and very small hooks near rocks, tide pools, or weed edges. Fish slowly and close to cover; this species is easily spooked and often better caught by hand-netting only where legal.