SW Fish Profiles

[Catpicklesdog]

Heniochus varius

Scientific Name: Heniochus varius

Common Names: Humphead Bannerfish

Care Level: Moderately difficult

Adult Size: 7.9in

pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3

Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C

Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026

Origin/Habitat: Western and South Pacific

Temperament/Behaviour: Peaceful

Compatible Tank mates: Cardinalfish, Rabbitfish, Dwarf Wrasses, Anemonefish, Firefish.

Diet: Varied diet, including small meaty foods such as vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, crustacean flesh, and mysid shrimp, as well as frozen preparations for herbivores.

Tank Size For Adult: 100gal (379l)

Narrative: Add with caution to a reef aquarium; will nip at some sessile invertebrates, including stony coral polyps. Can be housed in a shallow- or deep-water reef tank, if the aquarist is prepared to feed it frequently. A hump on the forehead and a curved horn over each eye make adults of this species highly unusual specimens. Although it takes time to adjust to aquarium foods, this species will often acclimate to captivity, doing best when housed with small, peaceful fishes. If it is harassed by tankmates or the activities of the aquarist, it will not acclimate. Provide a rocky aquascaped with overhangs or caves where it can take shelter. May be kept in pairs, provided both are introduced simultaneously.



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[Catpicklesdog]

Pholidichthys leucotaenia

Scientific Name: Pholidichthys leucotaenia

Common Names: Convict Blenny (Convict Worm Blenny, White-Striped Eel Goby)

Care Level: Easy

Adult Size: 5.5in

pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3

Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C

Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026

Origin/Habitat: Indo-Pacific

Temperament/Behaviour: Peaceful

Compatible Tank mates: Angels, Butterflyfishes, Surgeonfishes, Triggers.

Diet: Meaty foods, such as frozen mysid shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped table shrimp, and frozen preparations for carnivores.

Tank Size For Adult: 55gal (208l)

Narrative: Add to the reef aquarium with caution. Will not harm sessile invertebrates, although adults will eat ornamental shrimps and possibly small crabs. May bury corals placed on or near the bottom. Whilst not actually a “true” blenny, it is often labelled as one. It is also sometimes referred to as the white-striped eel goby, and it’s not a goby either. It is in fact in a different suborder, the Trachinoidei in the same order perciformes. It is one of the hardest working fishes that can be placed in a marine aquarium. It will dig extensive tunnels in the sand, often leading to aquascaped avalanches. Be sure all rock is placed on the bottom of the tank before adding substrate. A group of juveniles may mimic schools of the venomous Plotosus lineatus. Adults are often very cryptic, hiding out in the subterranean homes. Fairly disease-resistant, it can withstand sub optimal water conditions.




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[Catpicklesdog]

Atrosalariuas fuscus

Scientific Name: Atrosalariuas fuscus

Common Names: Highfin Blenny (Brown Combtooth Blenny)

Care Level: Moderately easy

Adult Size: 5.7in

pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3

Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C

Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026

Origin/Habitat: Indo-Pacific

Temperament/Behaviour: Peaceful

Compatible Tank mates: Angels, Butterflyfishes, Surgeonfishes, Triggers.

Diet: Vegetable matters, including frozen and dried foods containing marine algae and the blue-green alga Spirulina. Usually will not thrive unless a crop of microalgae (its natural source of food) is present on the aquarium.

Tank Size For Adult: 55gal (208l)

Narrative: Add to a reef aquarium with caution. May nip at and eat some small-polyped stony corals. This comical looking fish spends its time hopping from one spot to another on the substrate, rasping at algae growth or perching in repose, ever alert to its surroundings. If deprived of its natural herbivorous diet, it is likely to starve. Should only be kept in well-established systems with lie rock and some constant microalgae growth. Usually not bothered by its tankmates, with the possible exception of predatory species. Keep only one per tank, unless a male-female pair is obtained. Can vary in colour from brown to a dark yellow.


Various colour forms





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[Catpicklesdog]

Ecsenius bicolor

Scientific Name: Ecsenius bicolor

Common Names: Bicolor Blenny

Care Level: Moderately easy

Adult Size: 3.9in

pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3

Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C

Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026

Origin/Habitat: Indo-Pacific

Temperament/Behaviour: Moderately aggressive

Compatible Tank mates: Angels, Butterflyfishes, Surgeonfishes, Triggers.

Diet: Vegetable matters, including frozen and dried foods containing marine algae and the blue-green alga Spirulina. Usually will not thrive unless a crop of microalgae (its natural source of food) is present on the aquarium.

Tank Size For Adult: 30gal (114l)

Narrative: Add to a reef aquarium with caution. An occasional specimen may nip at and eat some small-polyped stony corals. Some may bite large-polyped stony corals and clam mantles. An attractive blenny, interesting to observe and easy to keep in aquariums with natural microalgae growth. Spends most of its time perching on or picking at the substrate and is usually ignored by its tankmates. May behave aggressively toward members of its own species. May pick on gobies and firefishes. Keep only one per tank, except in the case of a male-female pair. May jump out of an uncovered aquarium.




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[Catpicklesdog]

Ecsenius gravieri

Scientific Name: Ecsenius gravieri

Common Names: Red Sea Mimic Blenny

Care Level: Moderately easy

Adult Size: 3.1in

pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3

Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C

Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026

Origin/Habitat: Red Sea

Temperament/Behaviour: Moderately aggressive

Compatible Tank mates: Angels, Butterflyfishes, Surgeonfishes, Triggers.

Diet: Vegetable matters, including frozen and dried foods containing marine algae and the blue-green alga Spirulina. Usually will not thrive unless a crop of microalgae (its natural source of food) is present on the aquarium.

Tank Size For Adult: 30gal (114l)

Narrative: Add to a reef aquarium with caution. An occasional specimen may nip at and eat some small-polyped stony corals. Some may bite large-polyped stony corals and clam mantles. A beautiful looking species that mimics Meiacanthus nigrolineatus, which has venomous fangs and is avoided by experienced predators. It is easy to keep in established aquariums that contain some microalgae. Will spend most of its time perched on or picking at the substrate. Usually ignored by its tankmates. May behave aggressively toward conspecifics, closely related forms, or smaller bottom dwellers. Keep only one per tank, except in a male-female pair.



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[Catpicklesdog]

Ecsenius midas

Scientific Name: Ecsenius midas

Common Names: Midas Blenny

Care Level: Moderately easy

Adult Size: 3.9in

pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3

Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C

Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026

Origin/Habitat: Indo-Pacific

Temperament/Behaviour: Moderately aggressive

Compatible Tank mates: Angels, Butterflyfishes, Surgeonfishes, Triggers.

Diet: Varied diet, including finely chopped crustacean flesh, mysid shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, as well as frozen preparations for herbivores.

Tank Size For Adult: 30gal (114l)

Narrative: Excellent for the reef aquarium. A colourful that makes a great display species and is one of the best blennies for the reef aquarium. Unlike most of its close relatives, this species feeds mostly on zooplankton, rather than algae. Spends its time tucked in small holes or swimming in the water column, usually ignored by its tankmates. Will sometimes pick on small planktivores. It is most likely to become a behavioural problem in smaller aquariums.



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[Catpicklesdog]

Exallias brevis

Scientific Name: Exallias brevis

Common Names: Leopard Blenny (Honeycomb Blenny)

Care Level: Very Difficult

Adult Size: 5.7in

pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3

Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C

Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026

Origin/Habitat: Indo-Pacific

Temperament/Behaviour: Moderately aggressive

Compatible Tank mates: Angels, Butterflyfishes, Surgeonfishes, Triggers.

Diet: Extremely hard to feed in captivity as naturally feeds on small-polyped stony corals. Try frozen preparation for herbivores, mysid shrimp, and vitamin enriched brine shrimp.

Tank Size For Adult: 75gal (284l)

Narrative: Not suitable for the reef aquarium as its main diet is small-polyped stony corals. Although very attractive, this blenny should not be acquired unless the aquarist is aware of and prepared to supply its specialized diet. It is territorial, defending its food source from members of its own species and any other possible food competitors.




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[Catpicklesdog]

Istiblennius chrysospilos

Scientific Name: Istiblennius chrysospilos

Common Names: Redspotted Blenny (Redspotted Rockskipper)

Care Level: Moderately easy

Adult Size: 5.1in

pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3

Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C

Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026

Origin/Habitat: Western and South Pacific

Temperament/Behaviour: Moderately Peaceful

Compatible Tank mates: Angels, Butterflyfishes, Surgeonfishes, Triggers.

Diet: Vegetable matter, including frozen and dried foods containing marine algae and the blue-green alga Spirulina. Usually will not thrive unless a growth of microalgae (its natural source of food) is present in the aquarium.

Tank Size For Adult: 55gal (208l)

Narrative: Add with caution to the reef aquarium. An occasional specimen may nip at stony coral polyps or clam mantles. This is an appealing fish that requires conditions similar to the shallow reefs and tide pools where it naturally occurs. It should only be kept in well-established tanks with sufficient lights and nutrients to sustain an ongoing supply of microalgae growth. It spends its time in repose on the substrate. Usually not bothered by its tankmates, with the possible exception of predatory species. Keep only one specimen per tank, unless a male-female pair is acquired.



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[Catpicklesdog]

Meiacanthus atrodorsalis

Scientific Name: Meiacanthus atrodorsalis

Common Names: Yellowtail Fang Blenny (Lyretail fang Blenny)

Care Level: Moderately easy

Adult Size: 4.3in

pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3

Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C

Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026

Origin/Habitat: Indo-Pacific

Temperament/Behaviour: Moderately aggressive

Compatible Tank mates: Angels, Butterflyfishes, Surgeonfishes, Triggers.

Diet: Varied diet, including finely chopped crustacean flesh, mysid shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, as well as frozen preparations for herbivores. Will usually do poorly unless kept in a tank with live rock, where it can continually hunt and feed on its natural prey, small crustaceans.

Tank Size For Adult: 30gal (114l)

Narrative: Suitable for the reef aquarium. One of the reputed black sheep of the blenny clan, this species has VENEMOUS fangs that it will employ if attacked. For this reason, other fishes rarely harass it, and it spends most of its time swimming or hovering in the water column. In reality, it rarely bothers other fishes, with the possible exception of congeners. Only one should be housed per tank, except in large systems or unless a pair is acquired. May be harassed by damsels and other aggressive species, but it will bite the inside of a predator’s mouth if ingested, and will usually be promptly spat out, no worse for wear.


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[Catpicklesdog]

Ophioblennius atlanticus

Scientific Name: Ophioblennius atlanticus

Common Names: Redlip Blenny

Care Level: Moderately easy

Adult Size: 4.7in

pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3

Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C

Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026

Origin/Habitat: Tropical Western Atlantic

Temperament/Behaviour: Moderately aggressive

Compatible Tank mates: Angels, Butterflyfishes, Surgeonfishes, Triggers.

Diet: Vegetable matters, including frozen and dried foods containing marine algae and the blue-green alga Spirulina. Does best if a crop of microalgae (its natural source of food) is growing in the aquarium.

Tank Size For Adult: 30gal (114l)

Narrative: Add to the reef aquarium with caution. May nip at stony corals and clam mantles. This is a likeable fish that is interesting to watch and easy to keep, provided it is placed in a well established aquarium with a constant crop of microalgae. Will spend much of its time perching on the aquascaping, hopping from rock to rock and picking at the substrate. Usually ignored by its tankmates, but may behave aggressively toward members of its own species, closely related forms, or any fish that enters its territory. Large specimens can be very territorial, especially in smaller aquariums. Keep singly or n a male-female pair.




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