Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Fish profile

Temperament

Peaceful

Collette's blenny has a wonderfully peaceful and highly observant personality. They are known for backing into small holes with just their heads poking out, scanning the room like a periscope. They are generally bold and quickly learn to associate the aquarist with feeding time.

Diet

Herbivore

Their diet in nature consists almost entirely of benthic microalgae and detritus. In the aquarium, provide them with high-quality spirulina flakes, algae sheets, and specialized herbivore pellets. Meaty foods should only be offered occasionally, as their digestive systems are optimized for plant matter.

Sex ratio

Solitary

It is strongly advised to keep this species singly to avoid intense territorial aggression. Keeping multiple males together will usually result in fighting until only one remains. A known male-female pair can sometimes be kept successfully if the aquarium is large enough.

Feeding frequency

Twice daily

They are constant grazers, picking at the live rock all day to satiate their fast metabolism. Supplemental feeding should be provided once or twice a day to ensure well-rounded nutrition. Leaving a small portion of dried seaweed on a clip encourages natural grazing behaviors.

Bioload

Collette's blenny is a diminutive fish that produces an exceptionally light bioload. Standard protein skimming and weekly water changes are more than enough to handle its waste. It is a fantastic option for aquarists looking to add activity to a nano tank without compromising water quality.

Flow

Moderate

A moderate flow environment is highly recommended to stimulate the growth of microalgae. Good water circulation mimics the shallow reef environments they naturally prefer. They will use the rockwork to find sheltered areas if they need a break from the current.

Jump risk

Yes

Like other blennies, they are easily startled and have a high propensity for jumping. A secure, tight-fitting mesh top or glass canopy is absolutely required to prevent them from jumping out. Be mindful when working in the tank, as sudden hand movements can cause them to bolt upwards.

Reproduction

Oviparous

They are cave spawners, laying small adhesive egg masses in tight rock crevices. The male dutifully guards the eggs, aggressively chasing away potential predators until they hatch. Raising the planktonic fry requires incredibly small live foods and is rarely successful in a home aquarium.

Compatibility & tankmates

Reef safe

It is completely reef safe and peaceful, completely ignoring corals and motile invertebrates. It does well with similarly peaceful fish like firefish, clownfish, and small wrasses. However, it may become fiercely territorial if housed with other blennies of similar size and shape.

Tank level

Bottom

They are strictly bottom-dwelling fish that lack a swim bladder for sustained swimming. They spend their time perched on rocks, observing their surroundings, and hopping from place to place. The aquarium must have plenty of live rock with small holes for them to hide in.