Tailspot Blenny
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
Attractive and relatively bold, this species does very well in reef aquaria. Scott W. Michael
Overview
This is a wonderful fish for a marine community tank. It exhibits an interesting color pattern, including orange and blue eye liners, and spends more time in open water swimming about than many other blennies.
Family: Blenniidae
Other common name(s):
Native range:
Habitat: Reef. Provide plenty of hiding places, preferably small holes that it can back into. Use a 1⁄2- to-3⁄4-inch drill bit to create some holes in the live rock.
Maximum length: 5 cm (2 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 76 L (20 gal)
Water: Marine 24 °C (75 °F) - 28 °C (82 °F)
General swimming level: Near substrate.
Feeding
Omnivore. Feed meaty as well as herbivore foods at least twice per day.
Aquarium Compatibility
This blenny is very neighborly. It rarely bothers tankmates, including other smaller blennies. If it has been in a tank for a while, it will assert its dominance over newly introduced members of the same genus (especially in a smaller aquarium). It is likely to be picked on by dottybacks, more aggressive damselfishes, and hawkfishes. You can keep more than one in a tank of 75 gallons (285 L) or larger. More than one individual can be housed in a larger tank. It seldom picks at clams or corals.
Breeding/Propagation
Demersal (on or near the bottom) spawners that tend and protect their broods.
Notes
The Tailspot Blenny spends almost an equal amount of time resting in its favorite hiding hole and swimming about the aquarium looking for food. It does not appear to be a big algae eater, like others in the family. Keep in a covered tank.