Tropical Fish Species

Blennies

Blennies are curious looking little fishes with long, slender bodies and large heads with cirri (small hairlike growths) near the eyes. Some species can be quite colorful while others are drabber and covered with spots and stripes to blend in with their surroundings. They are mainly bottom dwelling fish and can be found in tide pools and shallower waters among coral reefs throughout the world.

Most blennies feed on algae and small invertebrates but there are some species that mimic cleaner fish and actually take a bite out of other unsuspecting fish! Blennies are generally hardy fishes, easy to care for and do not require a large tank.

They do require lots of rocks and caves to hide in and where they will spend much of their time. If possible, live rock should be used so that they will have algae to graze on.

Blennies should be fed a variety of fresh and prepared foods that consist of both protein and vegetable matter.

Unfortunately, most Blennies are highly territorial and will constantly be fighting if there is more than one species per tank. They should be kept with other peaceful, non-predatory tankmates.

Blennies are difficult to breed in captivity. Generally, it is not possible to distinguish between the sexes, though sometimes males will be larger and have brighter coloring than the females. They usually spawn in caves and guard the eggs until they hatch. After the eggs hatch, the fry go through several stages including a planktonic stage before metamorphosing into their adult form.

Blennies Care

A 30 gallon tank with plenty of hiding spaces is needed to house one specimen.

Provide a well established reef environment with excellent water quality. Blennies feed themselves by eating tiny micro-algae that is present in the living rock.

They are especially useful to control algae growing in the aquarium, taking care of any outgrowing string or hair algae in the marine aquarium.

You can feed them every other day alternating between fresh shrimp pieces, tiny bits of white fish, fresh crab, freeze dried plankton as well as quality marine flake.

TankConditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.020-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4; dKH 8-12

Compatibility: Boxfish, Butterflies, Chromis, Clownfish, Damsels, Dartfish, Filefish, Foxface and Rabbitfish, Gobies, Hawkfish, Puffers, Tangs and Surgeons, Wrasse, Live Corals, Live Rock and Sand, Invertebrates.