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Trees- ShrubsStriped Blenny (Parablennius rouxi)
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P. rouxi have fine blue vertical lines on their mouth and three or four ocular tentacles, of which the first is generally the longest. They have a white or pale beige body with a long black or reddish band running from head to tail. They often grow to lengths of 6-7 cm (1). There are 35 species within the Parablennius genera. Other Parablennius species found in the eastern Mediterranean include; P. tentacularis, P. gattorugine and P. sanguinolentus (1).
P. rouxi inhabit hard substrates such as coralligène and flat rocky substratum, and can be found between depths of 3 – 30m (1).
Breeding season is during spring/summer (May-July). The males inhabit piddock holes, which are produced by the marine bivalave of the genus Pholas. The male courtship behaviour consists of jumping in and out of the inhabited hole as well as swimming in a vertical position and nodding their head (2). They protect their piddock hole from other males by shows of aggressive behaviour, which include; lateral displays, yawning and circling as well as physically attacking the intruder by biting and ramming (2). The males guard the eggs of several females (1). The females spawn in the males piddock holes, and produce demersal and adhesive eggs. (2).
They are found in the northern Mediterranean and northeast Atlantic (3).
P. rouxi is a benthic species.
P. rouxi prey consists of harpacticoids, periphyton and algae (4).
Not evaluated under the IUCN Redlist (5).
Description written by Nikkita Lawton (2009)
(1) Louisy P. (2002). Parablennius rouxi., pp.219. Guide d’indentification des Poissons Marins Europe et Mediterranee. Les Editions Eugen Ulmer.
(2) Breder, C.M. and D.E. Rosen (1966). Modes of reproduction in fishes. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune City, New Jersey. pp. 941
(3) Zander, C.D. (1986) Blenniidae. pp. 1096-1112. In P.J.P. Whitehead, M.-L. Bauchot, J.-C. Hureau, J. Nielsen and E. Tortonese (eds.) Fishes of the North-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, volume 3. UNESCO, Paris.
(4) Fishbase. Parablennius rouxi. [Accessed 05 June 2009] www.fishbase.org
(5) IUCN (2009). IUCN Red List. [Accessed 04 June 2009] http://www.iucnredlist.org
