Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Fish profile

Temperament

Semi-aggressive

This species exhibits a wonderfully inquisitive and comical personality. They are known for their habit of quickly darting into a hole, only to immediately poke their head back out to watch their surroundings. They are generally peaceful but can be feisty when defending their chosen crevice.

Diet

Herbivore

Their natural diet consists almost exclusively of microalgae and detritus found on live rock. In the home aquarium, this must be supplemented with commercial algae flakes, spirulina, and dried seaweed. They will occasionally pick at small meaty foods, but a plant-based diet is essential for their health.

Sex ratio

Solitary

It is highly recommended to keep only one specimen per tank unless a known male-female pair is acquired. Males are highly intolerant of one another and will fight over territory and hiding spots. In very large systems, multiple individuals may carve out separate territories, but it remains a risk.

Feeding frequency

Twice daily

They are continuous grazers that will pick at the rocks all day long. Direct feeding of supplemental foods should occur once or twice a day. Supplying a steady source of dried algae on a clip ensures their constant grazing needs are met.

Bioload

The Australian blenny is a diminutive species that adds an extremely low bioload to the system. They are ideal candidates for nano reefs or smaller aquariums. Regular maintenance routines are more than enough to handle their negligible waste output.

Flow

Strong

Moderate water flow is recommended to mimic their natural reef habitat. Good flow ensures the live rock remains free of heavy detritus, promoting the growth of the microalgae they prefer. They will often choose a perch that offers a good vantage point in the current.

Jump risk

Yes

Like all Ecsenius blennies, they possess a strong instinct to jump when startled. A tight-fitting lid is absolutely critical to prevent them from jumping out of the aquarium. Even tiny gaps around the edges of the tank should be securely covered.

Reproduction

Substrate spawner

They are demersal spawners, attaching their adhesive eggs in small cavities or empty barnacle shells. The male will fiercely guard and aerate the eggs until the fry emerge. While spawning is possible in a healthy tank, successfully rearing the microscopic fry is exceedingly difficult.

Compatibility & tankmates

Peaceful

They are completely reef-safe and will not harm corals, clams, or ornamental crustaceans. They are exceptionally peaceful towards most other fish, making them perfect for community tanks. Care should simply be taken not to house them with large, aggressive predators that might eat them.

Tank level

Bottom

They are strictly benthic, living their entire lives perched on or hiding within the live rock. They utilize the rockwork for sleeping, hiding, and hunting for microalgae. They do not swim freely in the water column and rely heavily on the substrate.