False Tasmanian Blenny

Parablennius postoculomaculatus

The False Tasmanian Blenny is a demersal tropical combtooth blenny found in the subtropical waters of western Australia, specifically in the Eastern Indian Ocean. This species is characterized by an elongated, oval body shape and distinctive coloration patterns. Males exhibit intense spotting on the lower side of the head and a round light brown blotch on the postorbital region, bordered by a segmented white, dark-edged streak. The blenny's dorsal fin has 12 spines and 15 to 17 soft rays, while the anal fin has 2 spines and 16 to 18 soft rays. It also features a long, stout supraorbital tentacle with 3 to 9 side branches. The head lateral line system is well-developed, with 120 to 266 pores, averaging around 207.4 pores. Numerous medium to blackish brown blotches can be found on the lower half of the cheek, sides of the upper lip, and other parts of the body. This species inhabits shallow coastal waters, typically found at depths shallower than 40 meters, with most occurrences at depths less than 10 meters. It prefers benthopelagic environments where it can be seen perching on substrates. The False Tasmanian Blenny is oviparous, with distinct pairing during reproduction. Its eggs are demersal and adhesive, attaching to substrates via a filamentous pad. Larvae are planktonic and often found in shallow waters. Divers encountering this species can expect to see it in its natural habitat, often perched on rocky surfaces. The False Tasmanian Blenny is categorized as Least Concern by the IUCN.