Overview
Small reef fish, very territorial and curious.
Identification
Tuft of tentacles above the eyesLong and wavy dorsal finSmall mouth but with thick lipsEye spots on the pectoral finsProminent eyesLack of scalesDark edge of finsConvex caudal area
- Body
- The body is elongated and laterally compressed with a large head.
- Colouration
- Brownish coloration with irregular dark spots and a lighter lateral line.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Not very apparent
- Growth
- slow
Taxonomy
- Family
- Blenniidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Parablennius tentacularisParablennius incognitusParablennius rouxiParablennius ruberParablennius zvonimiri
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, reefs
- Preferred bottom
- rock, reef, seagrass
- Geographic distribution
- Common along the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea and the eastern Atlantic up to the British Isles.
- Micro-habitat
- Hides in small rocky crevices or under seaweeds.
Prefers areas with jagged rocks and abundant underwater vegetation.
Presence by sea area
Tirreno NordPeak
Tirreno CentroPeak
Tirreno SudPeak
Adriatico NordPeak
Adriatico CentroPeak
Adriatico SudPeak
Ionio NordPeak
Ionio CentroPeak
Sardegna OvestPeak
Sardegna EstPeak
Sicilia TirrenoPeak
Sicilia Ionio CanalePeak
Eu Mediterraneo OvestPeak
Eu Mediterraneo EstPeak
Eu Golfo BiscagliaPeak
Eu Mare NordPeak
Eu ManicaPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- algae, small invertebrates, mollusks
- Secondary prey
- crustaceans, polychaetes, zooplankton
- Occasional prey
- small fish, jellyfish
- Feeding behaviour
- Feeds by scraping algae off rocks and searching for small invertebrates hidden among them.
- Natural predators
- larger rocky fish, sea birds, octopuses
Adapted to eat a varied diet thanks to its ability to scrape and bite.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- solitary
- Aggressiveness
- medium
- Migration
- resident
- Seasonal behaviour
- During the breeding season, it becomes more territorial and active.
- Juveniles
- Young ones tend to hide more frequently and form small groups.
- Adults
- Adults occupy defined territories that they defend vigorously.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- May, June
- Spawning depth
- between 0 and 20 meters
- Eggs
- Adhesive eggs laid in rocky crevices, benthic.
- Larval stage
- Larvae are planktonic and are carried by currents.
- Sexual maturity
- varies between 2 and 3 years
When to catch Tompot blenny
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Daymattino, pomeriggio
Night—
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Fishing activity decreases in winter, when conditions are less favourable.
Ideal conditions
Atmospheric pressure
Low
Very active and curious.
Medium
Regular activity.
High
Stays hidden.
Barometric trend
Water temperature
10°COptimal zone: 14-24°C27°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
reefsbreakwaterscoral reefsareas with abundant algae
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
shoreline fishingtrapsfree divingbait fishing
Other applicable
Light Rock FishingRock FishingBolognesePesca A GalleggianteSpinning UltraleggeroBolognese Leggera
Recommended baits
pieces of shrimpmarine wormssea snailsfresh algae
Baits by pressure
Low
GrubJig head + softbaitSoftbait piccolo / LRFMetal jig leggero (20-40g)Shrimp artificiale (gomma)
Medium
Gambero morto / Gambero
High
BigattinoVerme coreanoArenicolaCozzaVerme americanoEsca naturale (generica)Pane raffermo
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Resilient and stubborn, tends to take refuge among rocks.
- Handling
- Handle carefully to avoid damaging the fins and the thin skin.
- Release
- Release gently near the capture site to minimize stress.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- Bavoce rarely exceed 30 cm in length. A common species along the rocky coasts of the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian Seas, more often seen in underwater observations than in sport fishing.
- In the kitchen
- Not commonly used for food due to its small size, but sometimes featured in regional soup dishes.
- Cultural notes
- In Italian folklore, it symbolizes tenacity and resilience due to its territorial behavior.
- Historical notes
- Present in paintings from ancient Mediterranean civilizations, appreciated for its vibrant personality.
