Midas Blenny
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
An idea reef aquarium fish that often ventures out into the open water column. Scott W. Michael
[edit] Overview
A nonconformist among the blennies, this species spends much of its time feeding in the water column on zooplankton rather than staying close to the protection of the substrate. Its color can be stunning—matching that of the glorious Lyretail Anthias, with which it is often found swimming and feeding in the wild.
Family: Blenniidae
Other common name(s):
Native range:
- South Africa
- Marquesas Islands
- Gulf of Aqaba
Habitat: Reef. Provide plenty of hiding places, preferably small holes that it can back into. You can use a 1⁄2- to-3⁄4-inch drill bit to create some of these in the rock.
Maximum length: 13 cm (5 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 76 L (20 gal)
Water: Marine 24 °C (297 K, 75 °F) - 28 °C (301 K, 82 °F)
General swimming level: Midwater to bottom.
[edit] Feeding
Omnivore. Feed a variety of foods, including both meaty and algae-containing foods, at least twice per day.
[edit] Aquarium Compatibility
This species divides its day swimming in the water column or peeking from a favorite burrow in the rockwork. It will dash about to snatch food as it floats past in the current. In a large aquarium, it would make an interesting tankmate for a shoal of Lyretail Anthias. It may leap from an open tank when startled.
[edit] Breeding/Propagation
Demersal (on or near the bottom) spawners that tend and protect their broods.
[edit] Notes
The Midas Blenny will usually ignore its tankmates. On rare occasions, it may pick on smaller, passive species, especially in tight quarters. It is best to keep one per tank, unless your aquarium is large (100 gallons [380 L] or more), in which case you should be able to keep a pair. This species mostly plucks its food from open water and is less likely to pick at clams and corals.
| Common name | Midas Blenny + |
| Family | Blenniidae + |
| Genus | Ecsenius + |
| Image credit | SWM + |
| Maximum length | 5 in + |
| Minimum aquarium size | 20 gal + |
| Native range | South Africa +, Marquesas Islands +, and Gulf of Aqaba + |
| Reference | 101 Best Saltwater Fishes + |
| Specific name | midas + |
| Swimming level | Midwater to bottom. + |
| Text credit | SWM + |
| Water max temp | 301 K (28 °C, 82 °F) + |
| Water min temp | 297 K (24 °C, 75 °F) + |
| Water type | Marine + |