Encyclopaedia
Beautiful Blenny
Ecsenius pulcher
A large and colorful Indian Ocean blenny, appreciated for its algae-controlling utility and curious character.
- Family
- Blenniidae
- Origin
- Oceano Indiano nord-occidentale: Golfo Persico, Golfo di Oman, Mar Arabico e India occidentale.
- Origin
- Tropical oceans and reefsExtra-Amazon South AmericaSouth and Southeast Asia
- Tank use
- Used in 0 tanks
Share
23 °C - 28 °C
8.1 - 8.4
Marine
Bottom
11 cm
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Northwestern Indian Ocean: Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and western India. Found on shallow rocky reefs and tidal flats from 1 to 10 meters deep.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Member of the family Blenniidae. Relatively robust, scaleless body. Reaches a maximum length of 11.0 cm.
Social Behavior: Peaceful with open-water fish. Males are territorial and will vigorously defend a small patch of rock from conspecifics or similar species.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Highly polymorphic. Some individuals are bicolored (dark brown front, bright yellow-orange rear); others show longitudinal lines and pale stripes. No sexual dimorphism.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: Suitable for setups of at least 90 liters. Provide ample rockwork with algae growth for grazing. A secure lid is essential.
Diet and Feeding: Herbivorous. Primarily feeds on benthic microalgae and detritus. Supplement with spirulina flakes, sheets of nori, and sinking pellets.
Water Quality: Keep reef parameters stable: temperature 23-28 °C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity SG 1.020-1.025. Standard reef filtration.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Peaceful with open-water species. Do not keep with other Ecsenius species or territorial blennies unless the tank is large.
Aquarium Breeding: Lays eggs in small crevices. The male guards the nest. Captive larval rearing is extremely difficult.
Risks and Diseases: Starvation in newly set up tanks. Highly prone to jumping when startled.
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Pacifico
- Diet
- Erbivoro
- Tank level
- Bottom
- Minimum group
- 1
- Adult size
- 11 cm
- Minimum tank volume
- 90 L
- GH
- n/a
- KH
- 8 dKH - 12 dKH
- TDS
- n/a
- Conductivity
- n/a
- Sex ratio
- Singolo o Coppia
- Feeding frequency
- 2 volte al giorno
- Bioload
- Low
- Flow
- Moderato
- Jump risk
- Covered tank required
- Reproduction
- Depone uova adesive all'interno di fessure. Il maschio si occupa delle uova fino alla schiusa.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Generalmente pacifico, ma i maschi sono marcatamente territoriali con pesci della stessa specie o simili.
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.
