Brown Combtooth Blenny

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Tropical Indo-Pacific: from the Red Sea and East African coasts to the Society Islands, north to southern Japan. Inhabits shallow reefs rich in macroalgae and lagoons at depths of 1 to 15 meters.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Member of the family Blenniidae, genus Atrosalarias. Features an elongated scaleless body with a characteristic high, sail-like dorsal fin. Grows up to 14 cm.

Social Behavior: Solitary and territorial over its grazing rocks. Spends its time patrolling the bottom, scraping algae, and defending its shelter from similar fish.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Solid dark brown or deep black coloration, occasionally with yellow highlights on the caudal and posterior dorsal fin. Visual dimorphism is minimal.

Aquarium Setup: Demands an aquarium of at least 150 liters with large amounts of algae-covered live rock. A secure lid is mandatory as the species is a skilled jumper.

Diet and Feeding: Herbivorous. Grazes on diatoms and green filamentous algae. Requires mature rockwork; if natural food is low, supplement with nori, spirulina flakes, and vegetable pellets.

Water Quality: Keep parameters stable. Temperature 22-27°C, pH 8.0-8.5, salinity SG 1.020-1.026. GH 15-25. A strong biological filter is recommended to handle bioload.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Reef safe with caution. Generally harmless, but may nip at LPS coral tissue or clam mantles if starved. Keep singly.

Aquarium Reproduction: Extremely difficult. Spawns adhesive eggs inside rocky caves, which are guarded constantly by the male.

Risks and Diseases: Starvation in newly set-up or sterile tanks lacking benthic algae (belly should look rounded). Sensitive to sudden salinity shifts and copper medications.