Tasmanian blenny

Tasmanian blenny
Image: Julian Finn / Museums Victoria
Community type

Reef fish

Habitat type

Rocky reefs, kelp beds and inter-tidal zone

Very common in the sheltered reefs of south eastern Tasmania to depths of 10 m, Tasmanian blennys are often found in small crevices and holes, and have even been found in shells and discarded cans and bottles! Growing to only 13 cm in size, they are pale brown to bluish grey in colour, with many fine spots covering the body and distinctive tentacles above the eyes. Tasmanian blennys are herbivores, feeding mainly on algae. During breeding they attach their eggs to the sides of their rock crevices or holes and guard them until they hatch.

Much of the text within the species area of our website was written by Veronica Thorpe, as part of the Derwent River Wildlife Guide (2000).

The DEP has developed a variety of classroom and outdoor activities focused around the key estuary habitats of tidal wetlands, salt marshes and rocky reefs. These include classroom materials, online resources, interpretive walks, games and sensory experiences.