Peacock Rockskipper

Istiblennius meleagris

The Peacock Rockskipper is a small reef fish found in the Western Pacific, from Queensland to Western Australia. It is a member of the blenniidae family and is known for its elongated body and distinct dorsal fin, which features 12 to 14 spines and 17 to 21 soft rays. Males can be identified by their dusky dorsal fins with dark, slender, oblique stripes, while females typically have dark spots. Both sexes possess a fleshy, blade-like crest on the dorsal part of their head. This species inhabits rocky and mangrove shores, often found in shallow marine and brackish waters. It is a facultative air-breather, which allows it to survive in environments with varying oxygen levels. The Peacock Rockskipper is oviparous, with eggs that are demersal and adhesive, attaching to substrates via a filamentous pad. Its larvae are planktonic and commonly found in shallow coastal waters. Divers may encounter this harmless fish in depths shallower than 40 meters, though it is most commonly found at depths less than 10 meters. The Peacock Rockskipper is assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN.