Featured Species

Let us have a closer look at the Blenny!

Many species of fish are also adapted to live in rock pools, one of the most common species that can be found, is ironically the common blenny!
It is known as the ‘Shanny’, but in Galway it has the loveable ‘connemara clownfish’ title. 

​The common blenny is protected by a layer of slime (it has no scales) which helps it to slide amongst rocks, and helps to stop it drying out if stranded between tides on a rocky shore. It has a broad head with large eyes, and a dorsal fin which stretches almost from head to tail.  

It is common in rock pools but is quite hard to spot when lying still as its mottled colouration provides excellent camouflage. Blennies have tough little teeth which allow them to crack open barnacles and even limpets.
They are not fished commercially and are instead used as an indicator species for pollution. Due to the fact that they are sensitive to contaminants and never leave their local area.
The adult stays in the same area for their entire life after settling there as a juvenile, It matures at two years of age
The males change in colour to being all black with a contrasting white mouth and a pale blue margin to the dorsal fin when in breeding condition
The male and female mate in pairs, the male mates with several females and guards all of their eggs. Each female spawns three times in a season. The eggs are laid under rocks in the intertidal zone and the larvae are young can be common on shorelines in the autumn

'smile'

Anthropomorphism

DEFINITION the attribution of human characteristics or behaviour to a god, animal, or object.

I think we as humans will use anthropomorphism with fish quite a lot, and while this might be 'fun' to see the fish smile.....it can also have very negative effects. In the age of memes and animal welfare there has been many cruel actions on rays, especially. So, while we can see 'human' features, we must treat them better!

How do they thrive at low tide

Blenny 'walking'

GALLERY

​Galway Atlantaquaria, Ireland’s largest native species Aquarium are delighted to present these stories of the shore. Call into the Aquarium to learn more.