Encyclopaedia
Gravier's Blenny
Ecsenius gravieri
Also known as the Red Sea Mimic Blenny, this peaceful herbivorous fish mimics the coloration of the venomous Meiacanthus nigrolineatus.
- Family
- Blenniidae
- Origin
- Tropical oceans and reefs
- Tank use
- Used in 0 tanks
Share
22 °C - 28 °C
8 - 8.5
Marine
Bottom and middle
8 cm
Species description
Geographic Origin and Biotope: Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Found on shallow coral reefs and seaward slopes rich in algae at depths up to 20 meters.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Part of the Blenniidae family, genus Ecsenius. Reaches up to 8 cm (3.1 inches) in length. Features comb-like teeth and large mobile eyes on top of its head.
Social Behavior: Peaceful and curious. Spends time resting on rocks and grazing on microalgae. Territorial only toward other similar-looking blennies.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Light greenish-blue front body fading to bright yellow on the tail, with a dark horizontal line. Minimal sexual dimorphism.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: Minimum aquarium size of 100 liters (25 gallons) with plenty of matured live rock. Provide cracks and crevices for shelter. A secure lid is highly recommended.
Diet and Feeding: Herbivorous. Requires a constant supply of microalgae. Supplement with spirulina flakes, nori, and high-quality herbivore pellets.
Water Quality: Maintain standard marine parameters: temperature 22-28°C (72-82°F), pH 8.0-8.5, specific gravity 1.020-1.025, and KH 8-12. Regular water changes are suggested.
Compatibility and Tankmates: Reef-safe. Ideal with clownfish, gobies, and peaceful wrasses. Avoid keeping with the actual venomous Meiacanthus nigrolineatus.
Aquarium Reproduction: Spawning is possible. Males guard eggs deposited in narrow crevices. Rearing larvae is difficult due to their microscopic size.
Risks and Diseases: Very hardy. Starvation is a risk in new, sterile tanks without natural algae. Known jumper; keep the aquarium covered.
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Pacifico, curioso e vivace, territoriale solo con consimili o specie simili
- Diet
- Erbivoro pascolatore, necessita di alghe fresche, spirulina e pellet vegetali
- Tank level
- Bottom and middle
- Minimum group
- 1
- Adult size
- 8 cm
- Minimum tank volume
- 100 L
- GH
- n/a
- KH
- 8 dKH - 12 dKH
- TDS
- n/a
- Conductivity
- n/a
- Sex ratio
- Singolo
- Feeding frequency
- 1-2 volte al giorno
- Bioload
- Low
- Flow
- Movimento marino moderato
- Jump risk
- Covered tank required
- Reproduction
- Custodia delle uova da parte del maschio in cavità rocciose. La riproduzione in acquario è documentata ma lo svezzamento larvale è difficile.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Reef-safe. Può pizzicare coralli molli o mantelli di tridacna se la dieta vegetale è insufficiente.
Ecological Estimates & Biological Models
- Trophic level
- 2 ± 0 se
- Resilience
- High (less than 15 months)
- Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50)
- 0.5
- Bayesian Length-Weight
- a = 0.00776, b = 3
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Other recommended species with similar care requirements and water parameters.
