WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Barred Blenny

Cirripectes polyzona

Also known as: Coral Blenny, Reef Blenny, Rock Blenny

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2026
Adult
@ipkingho · Richelieu Rock, Thailand · December 20111 / 1
01

Overview

Found singly, over shallow, surge zones of channels, reef crests, and exposed seaward reefs, rich in algae growth.

Combtooth Blennies are the largest family of blennies, found in both tropical and subtropical waters and freshwater habitats, as the name suggests they have comb like teeth lining their jaws, well suited for scraping food off hard surfaces!
Reef and rock blennies are usually territorial and have their own areas of rock pools which they skip and jump over, scraping algae from the surface of dead corals. Some male blennies have small harems of arguing females.
Males and females often have different colouring and features.

02

How to identify

COLOURS

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific
  • Country only · 1
LIVES IN

Found singly, over shallow, surge zones of channels, reef crests, and exposed seaward reefs, rich in algae growth.

04

Adult photos 1

05

Discussion

Comments are checked by a moderator before they appear.

No comments yet. Seen one, or got a question about it? Start the discussion.

    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderBlenniiformes
    5. familyBlenniidae
    6. genusCirripectes
    7. speciesCirripectes polyzona (Bleeker, 1868)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Combtooth Blennies (Blenniidae)