Arabian Blenny

Antennablennius hypenetes

The Arabian Blenny is a small reef fish found in the western Indian Ocean, specifically from the northern Red Sea to the Persian Gulf. This species is known for its elongated body and distinctive dorsal fin, which features 12 to 13 spines and 16 to 20 soft rays. The anal fin is equipped with 2 spines and 19 to 21 soft rays. It typically reaches a maximum length of 6.5 cm. Inhabiting rocky bottoms, the Arabian Blenny is a demersal fish, meaning it lives and feeds near the sea floor. It is an oviparous species, with eggs that are demersal and adhesive, attaching to substrates via a filamentous pad. The larvae are planktonic and often found in shallow coastal waters, which is where divers are most likely to encounter them. The Arabian Blenny is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Divers encountering this species can expect to see it perching on rocky surfaces, where it displays its characteristic behaviors.