The tompot blenny is a small fish with a lot of face. Common year-round in Sussex waters, on marine and chalk reefs, according to Sussex Wildlife Trust. British boat record: none listed.
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About the tompot blenny
The tompot blenny is a small fish with a lot of face. It has a large head, branched tentacles above the eyes, and an orange-brown body with darker bars. It lives in holes and crevices in rocky and chalk reefs, usually in water shallower than 20 m. Sussex Wildlife Trust says it grows up to 30 cm, while British Sea Fishing puts it at about 10 inches. Either way, this is a small fish. It is not a food fish. It is a mini-species catch, taken on light rock fishing gear with very small hooks and worm, fish or crab bait. In Sussex it is well placed to be met: the Trust describes it as common all year round in Sussex waters, on marine and chalk reefs. There is no boat record for it, because it appears only on the mini-species page of the British Record Fish Committee list. If you do catch one, return it unharmed.
On the boat
The tompot blenny is a mini-species catch. Anglers take it with light rock fishing (LRF) gear, very small hooks and worm, fish or crab bait. It lives in rock and chalk reef crevices, usually shallower than 20 m. The sources give no British months, but Sussex Wildlife Trust says it is common all year round in Sussex waters, on marine and chalk reefs.
British boat-caught record
None listed
No British boat-caught record is listed for this species. It appears only on the British Record Fish Committee mini-species page, which has no boat and shore split. The mini-species record is Master Shay Upham, aged 16, Torbay, South Devon, 2010.
How we label records: the British boat-caught records table explains confirmed, claimed and none listed.
Care and rules
A small reef fish, not a food fish. Return it unharmed. No minimum size was found on the GOV.UK MCRS table. Rules change: check the current rules before you fish.
Did you know?
The tompot blenny has branched tentacles above its eyes and lives in rock holes. Sussex Wildlife Trust says it is common all year round in Sussex waters, on marine and chalk reefs.
Questions about the tompot blenny
What is the British boat-caught record for tompot blenny?
No British boat-caught record is listed for this species. It appears only on the British Record Fish Committee mini-species page, which has no boat and shore split. The mini-species record is Master Shay Upham, aged 16, Torbay, South Devon, 2010.
Is tompot blenny caught off the Sussex coast?
Yes. Common year-round in Sussex waters, on marine and chalk reefs, according to Sussex Wildlife Trust.
When is the best time to catch tompot blenny?
Off Sussex: Common all year round in Sussex waters (Sussex Wildlife Trust).
How big does a tompot blenny get?
Up to 30 cm (Sussex Wildlife Trust); British Sea Fishing says about 10 inches.
Sources
- Sussex Wildlife Trust: tompot blenny: sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk
- British Sea Fishing: tompot blenny: britishseafishing.co.uk
- BRFC sea fish records, June 2026: anglingtrust.net
Picture: Diego Delso, file page on Wikimedia Commons. Every picture in the guide is listed on the picture credits page.
