Fish Identification Photos: Porehead Blenny, Labrisomomus multiporosus: The Porehead Blenny has an overall brown appearance with dark molting on its sides and is characterized by the two oblique bars on its cheeks and the rows of spots on the caudal, dorsal and pectoral fins. The Porehead Blenny also has a significant notch between the dorsal spines and the dorsal rays. The Porehead Blenny is a shallow water, diurnal, highly territorial predator that feeds mostly on bethic crustaceans including small crabs.

The Porehead Blenny can be easily confused with the Green Blenny, Labrisomomus striatus (brown with brown spots and thin stripes, two oblique bars on its cheeks, front dorsal spines are the shortest, and the base of the anal, caudal and dorsal fins have dark spots); and the Largemouth Blenny, Labrisomomus xanti (numerous small white spots on the lower part of the head and body and eight dark bars on their sides).

The Porehead Blenny is one of the larger members of the Labrisomids Family which are also known as Labrisomid Blennies or Trambollos. The Labrisomids form the largest and most diverse group of blennioid fishes found in Mexican waters. They are characterized by having prominent head cirri and well-developed scales and conical jaw teeth with drab colorations. They are highly secretive bottom dwellers that stay close to shelter. At present there are approximately 100 species of Labrisomids known globally of which 23 species are known in Mexican waters.

The Porehead Blenny is found in the first 30 feet of the water column over weed covered rocky structure. It reaches a maximum length of 5 inches. In Mexico, the Porehead Blenny is found south of Guerrero Negro along the Pacific side of the Baja California peninsula, in all parts of the Sea of Cortez, and along the coast north of Acapulco; it is present at the Revillagigedos islands but absent from other oceanic islands. Due to its size the Porehead Blenny is of limited interest to most.

Porehead Blenny, Labrisomomus multiporosus: Caught April 2009. Size 5.5 inches. Photo courtesy of John Snow. Porehead Blenny, Labrisomomus multiporosus: Caught from shore in the first hour of daylight in April 2003 in 76-degree water, along the rock line and in the surge zone with pounding surf, in 10-foot deep water, utilizing a 15-pound test with a 1-ounce barrel sinker, fish finder rig, with swivel, and Mustad 92553 hooks, size #6, on cut squid, at Km. 21 (Cabo Real) between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Size approximately 4 inches. Due to its small size a “catch and release.” Description and photo courtesy John Snow. Fish identification courtesy Dr. Ross Robertson, Smithsonian Institute, Panama.   Porehead Blenny, Labrisomomus multiporosus: Caught in a similar location by a similar method on successive casts. Description and photo courtesy John Snow.