Exallias brevis (Kner, 1868)

Common Name & Distinguishing Features

Exallias brevis, commonly called the leopard blenny, is easily recognizable by its blunt head and spotted body, which varies in color and pattern.

Male Coloration

Males of this species have brown spots on their head and red spots on their body.

Female & Juvenile Coloration

Females and juveniles, by contrast, have brown spots across their entire bodies.

Size

This species grows to a total length of 14.5 centimetres, or 5.7 inches.

Distribution

The leopard blenny is found in the Indo-Pacific region, including Hawaiʻi, the Red Sea, Australia, and French Polynesia.

Habitat & Depth Range

It lives on coral reefs at depths between 3 and 18 metres (10 to 60 feet).