Parablennius intermedius – Horned Blennie
Parablennius intermedius was first described by James Douglas Ogilby in 1915. The fish belongs to the family Blenniidae, which are commonly known as naked blennies. The genus name Parablennius is derived from the Greek “para” (beside) and “blennios” (slime), which refers to the slimy skin of these fish. The species name intermedius means “intermediate” or “middle” in Latin, which may refer to the size or characteristics of the fish compared to other species within the genus. Their common name is Horned Blennie.
Synonyms: Blennius intermedius, Pictiblennius iredalei.
Description
Parablennius intermedius has a broad, blunt snout and a multi-lobed tentacle above each eye. The color ranges from almost white to gray-brown with dark spots on the body and red to black spots on the head. The fins are usually transparent with a light tint of the same color as the body. This fish species can reach a length of about 12 centimeters.
Differences between sexes: Males and females of Parablennius intermedius do not show significant physical differences that are easily observable. No specific behavioral differences between the sexes have been documented.
Behavior and Temperament: The Horned Blennie is a peaceful fish that lives in small groups. It is not aggressive and can live well with other peaceful fish. It is a bottom dweller and spends most of its time on or near the bottom of the aquarium.
Life Expectancy: These fish can live for several years in the wild, but they may live longer in a well-maintained aquarium.
Biotope
Parablennius intermedius is found in coastal areas of Australia, from northern Queensland to southern New South Wales. It lives in coastal reefs and estuaries, often among rocks and coral reefs. Its natural habitat consists of rocky bottoms with many hiding places and an abundance of algae and small invertebrates.
Diet
Parablennius intermedius feeds mainly on algae and small invertebrates such as crustaceans and worms in the wild.
In the aquarium, they can be fed algae, spirulina, and small invertebrates such as brine shrimp and mysis shrimp. It is important to provide a variety of foods to mimic their diet in the wild.
Reefsafe: Parablennius intermedius is generally reefsafe and will not eat coral, polyps or shrimp.
The Aquarium
The aquarium for Parablennius intermedius should be at least 500 liters to provide sufficient space. A larger aquarium is needed for multiple pairs to prevent territorial conflicts. The aquarium should be set up with plenty of rocks and hiding places, and a substrate of sand or fine gravel is ideal.
Water parameters: The best water parameters for this species are a temperature between 22 and 28 °C, a pH of 8.1 to 8.4, and a salinity of 1.020 to 1.025.
Introduction: It is best to introduce this species into a well-matured aquarium so that there is sufficient algae and microorganisms available for food.
Compatibility: Parablennius intermedius can coexist well with other peaceful fish species, such as clownfish, gobies, and wrasses.
Breeding in the Aquarium
There is no specific information available on breeding Parablennius intermedius in an aquarium. Blennies generally show more intense colors during spawning and lay their eggs in hiding places such as caves or between rocks.
Particularities
A unique feature of Parablennius intermedius is that it is endemic to the coastal waters of Australia and shows a high degree of variability in color and pattern depending on its specific habitat.
Conclusion
Parablennius intermedius is an interesting and peaceful fish species suitable for well-established aquariums with many hiding places. It is relatively easy to keep and can live well with other peaceful fish species. For its well-being, it is important to mimic its natural diet and provide a well-established aquarium.
Video
Author
John de Lange
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