I have been trying to ID this blenny for the past 2 years. It’s driving me mad......

Fishbase is confusing on this species. It shows 4 photos listed as Parablennius marmoreus but 2 of the photos are actually Parablennius pilicornis. Believe me, I know - I spend hours underwater doing blenny surveys.

Parablennius marmoreus comes from the Western Atlantic and an expert has told me that it would be almost as unusual to find this species in the Mediterranean as to find a new specieis. He suggested the Portuguese blenny, Parablennius ruber, but it doesn’t look like that. I have hundreds of photos, from all angles, and have taken the same species throughout the year with its varying colouration.

Claudia, you seem very good at identifying things. Any ideas?

There was a photo in a recent contest here of the same blenny taken on Cap de Creus, Costa Brava, by Robert from Germany (but now I can’t find it). If you see this post, Robert, do you know the species’ name?

Hi there!
I’ve had a look in my “ guide for flora and fauna of the medditeranian “ (Tirion) and there is a picture exactly like yours, according to them it should be a parablennius pilicormis…
What can I say, it’s nearly impossible I think to find two pictures so alike…
But aparently the body can vary a lot in shade and color, the head is exactly the same! But hey, I’m not a fish expert… if the book is wrong, then so am I… but as far as I know usualy it’s quite accurate!
Greetings!!
Claudia

I’ve made a picture of the picture in the book, so you can see for yourself! greetings!

** PICTURE REMOVED FOR COPYRIGHT REASONS **

Ahem, Claudia,.. do you have the copyrights to do this?

I urge you to remove the image from your post and sent
it as a private message if required. Unfortunately users
can only upload the images here, for which they have
the proper copyrights.

Anyway I appreciate your efforts to solve the ID.

Hi Claudia

Thanks for your input. I don’t think it’s pilicornis but would like to see the photo from your book.

I have replied to the email you sent me - attaching some video of the sea hares of L’Escala - but it keeps bouncing back as being too big.

Maybe I could load it on this site?

Gaynor