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Leopard Blenny
Exallias brevis (Kner, 1868)
The Leopard Blenny has a fringe of cirri (glossary) running across the nape (glossary) and a branched tentacle above both eyes.
This species is white with small spots on the head, body and fins. The spots are brown in females and juveniles. Males have brown spots on the head and abdomen but red spots on the rest of the body. The dorsal and caudal fins of males are usually red.
The Leopard Blenny grows to 14cm in length. It eats coral polyps.
It is found on coral reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific. In Australia it is recorded from the central coast of Western Australia around the tropical north of the country and south to southern Queensland.
E.brevis is the only species in the genus Exallias.
Further reading
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557. (as Shortbodied Blenny)
