Blennies Species

Blennies

The blennies are an extremely diverse group of fish with over a hundred genera, representing many hundreds of species. They can be found in marine, freshwater and brackish water. Perhaps best recognized by aquarium perennial favorites such as the Lawnmower Blenny (Salarias fasciatus), Canary Blenny (Meiacanthus oualanensis) or Bicolor Blenny (Ecsenius bicolor), this group of personable little fishes are a marine tank mainstay.

Biology

Blennies can be found in marine, brackish and freshwater environments across the globe.

Blennies have a fairly characteristic appearance, with an elongate body, blunt nose, large eyes and a subterminal mouth for grazing algae. They are generally benthic fish, preferring to spend their time on the sand bed, or among rocky crevices and caves.

Captive Care

Blennies are in many ways the ideal marine aquarium fish. They are considered a very hardy, do not attain an overly large size, and require only a minimal territory. Some species can be a bit aggressive towards members of their own family, or similar looking fish, so it is important to keep this in mins when selecting a blenny for your aquarium.

In the wild blennies consume primarily algae found growing on rocks and substrate. This propensity to eat algae has earned them the reputation of being good members of the clean up crew.  However, even if ample algae growth it present, it is important to supplement their diet with high quality prepared foods.

Many species of blennies do not require a very large tank. However, it is important to consider carefully what species of blenny may be best for you tank. While smaller species such as the Barnacle Blenny (Acanthemblemaria hancocki) are suited to tanks as small as 10 gallons, larger species such as the Lawnmower Blenny (Salarias fasciatus), may be better suited to a tank thirty gallons or greater in size.

Suggested Piscine Energetics Products

We suggest a diet based on Piscine Energetics Mysis, Piscine Energetics Calanus, Piscine Energetics Pellets (1mm and 2mm) and Piscine Energetics Saltwater Flakes.

Recommended Products

What People Say

After feeding my seahorses your mysis for about 3 months; they are fat and happy!!! they give me baby seahorses (at least 300 ) each 14 days... So I'm very satisfied of your mysis.The frozen mysis is about 70 per cent of their diet.

Yvan Charbonneau Quebec

I am keeping these Indian mudskippers -- very cute -- about 3-4 inches long. I've been feeding them frozen bloodworm, and decided to try them on mysis. I feed them in a "shallows" in the 150 I have set up for them. The minute the mysis hit the water they were on it, frozen and all. They gorged until their little bellies were almost bursting. I have yet to see an aquatic creature that does not go absolutely nuts over PE Mysis.

David Lass Massachusetts