Marine Compatibility, and Cichlid Feeding Questions 11/9/07
Good day,
<And morrow>
I have a few questions that unfortunately are not really related to each other. The first question is a compatibility question between two fish in my 55 gallon saltwater tank. The tank is approximately 3-4 months old and doing well, in large part due to this website. Thank you. I would like to add a Flame Hawk, as I like their personality and appearance, and heard they are relatively hardy specimens. The other fish I have I'm not worried about getting along with the Flame, but I do have a Starry Blenny (Salarias ramosus). That although is one of my favorite fish, I'm worried that because they both occupy the same general area of the tank, there will be territory issues.
<Might be, yes>
I realize my Starry Blenny is a pretty peaceful fish, however he/she does occasionally chase others in the tank (no damage/bites, and it's only for a brief second). Overall, it's a very peaceful and entertaining fish. My question is, do these 2 fish have a good chance of maintaining a peaceful existence in my 55 gallon tank?
<I only give you even odds here. Likely you'll be able to see overt aggression before damage... but will have to act fast if so>
On an unrelated note, I do have a separate tank that has a Tropheus duboisii, and there's not a whole lot listed about them.
<Oh! Au contraire! There are reams written about the genus, species... even books>
I have read a few articles, however nothing that I've read answers the following: I know they eat a vegetarian diet, and I've read that they can't digest a lot of proteins. I am feeding the cichlid a mix of veggie flakes, however the protein content listed is 37%... That seems high, however I'm not sure what else to feed.... I will continue to read to get suggestions, but will this diet actually hurt my fish?
<Not likely, no>
I will definitely look to other sources so there is a varied diet, but is a brand with 37% protein too high?
<As stated, likely is fine... a good deal depends on the "type, source of protein" (the mix of amino acids) and how they're formulated in the food/s... You could always "make your own"...>
Thanks again for all the help!
Eric
<Do try a wider search re this species... read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/litsrchart.htm
Bob Fenner>

Tail Spot Blenny compatible w/Firefish, Gobies? Not likely here   6/22/07
Hi WWM crew,
<Art>
I am interested in adding a Tail Spot Blenny to my 55-gallon reef tank.
I have been researching Blennies , and my concern is their possible aggression toward firefish and gobies. Currently I have a Helfrichi Firefish, Yashia Goby, Neon Goby, Catalina Goby (I keep the temperature at 74.5 degrees),
<Mmmm>
Blue Gudgeon Dartfish, Mandarin and a Blue Assessor. The gobies are all 1" to 1.5", the Mandarin and Firefish are each about 2" and the Dartfish is almost 3". Is the Tail Spot Blenny likely to cause trouble in my peaceful tank, or is this Blenny more peaceful than the Midas or Bicolor? I am hoping he will be only 1" long, although I have no control over this (purchase size is between .75" and 1.5")
Also is he likely to nip at my corals (mostly mushrooms, LPS, star polyps)?
<Not much>
I only saw this fish today, and amazingly I found one for sale. I have a feeling they are not often imported, but I really like his face, which looks as if Picasso painted it. Any information you could provide re: their compatibility with my fish and corals would be appreciated.
As always, thanks for your advice.
Art
<I would NOT add this fish here... too likely for their to be negative interactions with many of your more peaceful fishes that already occupy similar niches... Bob Fenner>

Blenny questions--oh, and a wrasse/mandarin question!  Comp. Ecsenius, Macropharyngodon,  4/10/07
Good morning and thank you for your wonderful site.
I have just spent a couple of hours reading but I am a little anxious still, so thought I would ask you directly. I ordered a Tailspot blenny(  Ecsenius stigmatura) and was sent a bicolor blenny instead.
<The most common species...>
They will send me the Tailspot soon, but in the meantime, I have to decide what to do with the bicolor. It is currently in my little 14 gallon nano with two pearly Jawfish and a hi-fin banded goby.
<Mmm... not compatible here>
I know he can't stay there. I would like to put him in my 7 year old 150 gallon reef, but I have a large Midas blenny in there and I have had him several years.
<Might go in this sized volume...>
He swims with my lyretail anthias school
<Neat! What this species does in the wild...>
and ignores everyone else, (except very occasionally my flame Hawkfish, not fond of him) but this is another blenny.
<Yes... of the same genus>
Once the bicolor goes in, I can't retrieve him. The midas has one little hole that is his special favorite (to the point that he deliberately knocked a coral   fragment off--I watched him do --that I placed near his cave) so as long as the bicolor avoids that...... Is it worth a try?
<A tough question... I would likely give this fish away ahead of risking real aggression in your 150... And I want to mention I would not place the other Ecsenius in the small tank either...>
Secondly,
I lost my green mandarin after 5 years and so I bought another very large female mandarin recently. I have a spotted female already (this is in the 150 gallon)  and I had read that females get along. (My previous green was a male. ) Well, it turned out I didn't have to worry about the spotted mandarin, because my ornate wrasse just attacked the new mandarin mercilessly, buffeting her and feinting at her, as though biting--it was constant. The strange thing is that the mandarin acted as though nothing was happening
<A strategy of the species... plus their slime is unpalatable...>
and yet the harassment was so vicious and so consistent that I knew she couldn't eat or settle at all. (The wrasse wouldn't even come away from her to eat!  
and he is a pig.) I also know that although he didn't appear to be actually biting her, no obvious wounds)  he does have some teeth and it did seem that the blows from his body would evidently do damage.  
This shocked me because the wrasse has never been a issue with anything, even all the shrimp and snails.  I couldn't catch the wrasse but I did manage somehow to catch the mandarin and I threw her in my 29 gallon nano. I know you will say she can't stay there, but  is there some way I could feed her from the rotifers in the 150 's refugium?
<Yes>
I feed very well, and very diversely and there is plenty of live rock and corals in there. (The nano  is a 3 year old established tank with a small fairy wrasse, a six-line wrasse and a orange spotted shrimp goby with his pistol shrimp )
Patiently awaiting your scolding on the mandarin/nano issue and your advice on the blenny. :)
<Heeee! I wish you were in our neighborhood, so we could visit, I could see your systems>
Thank you very much,
Jeanne
<Bob Fenner>
APOLOGY AND CLARIFICATION
Hello there,
I just sent an e-mail about blennies (and a second question about my mandarin) and I need to clarify. I apparently do NOT have a bicolor blenny that I need to place but a "flametail" listed on their site as Atrosalarias sp. (Does NOT look at all like a lawnmower blenny. Has a small Ecsenius head and body and is dark, almost black with a yellow tail. ) Should be less of a problem since it is not an Ecsenius? Or is this a more aggressive fish?
Jeanne Brown
<Actually, the chances of avoiding WWIII are greatly diminished with this change... This is the species I take it: http://www.vividaquariums.com/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=01-1629-10
I give you good odds that the current Ecsenius will leave this fish alone... now, about that offending Labrid... Bob Fenner>

Lawnmower Blenny With A Taste For Cloves – 4/7/07
Hi,
<Hi there!>
I was wondering if you could help...<Sure hope so!> last week I purchased a lawnmower blenny. <Love ‘em!> I have closely been watching his behavior and have noticed he enjoys chewing on my clove coral <Uh oh>. After speaking to my local fish store, they advised moving the coral but could not advise further. Is this normal behavior and is there anything I can do to salvage my coral without getting rid of my blenny?? <I’ve read reports of these fish occasionally nipping at corals but after watching mine, and knowing what big appetites these fish have, I wonder if they aren’t actually going after bits of algae or tiny invertebrates in amongst the polyps. Although Lawnmower blennies are predominantly herbivorous, mine will go after any pods it spots around the tank. You might try supplementing your blenny’s diet with Nori, or sinking algae wafers. Hopefully, he'll decide that he prefers the readily available food and leave your clove polyps alone!>  
Thanks
Michelle <You’re welcome and good luck! –Lynn>

Blenny Aggression...And A Brackish Puffer In A Marine Tank - 01/10/07
Hi there!
<<Hello!>>
I have looked online and consulted with various people I work with (a large public aquarium) and cannot seem to find a solution to my problem so maybe you can help, or have a different perspective.
<<Let's see what I can do...>>
I have a bicolor blenny, a red firefish, and a figure-eight puffer in a 20 gallon, as well as a decorator crab but I doubt he figures into this equation.
<<Something to mention here...Tetraodon biocellatus is a "slightly brackish water" species and will not fare well in the long-term in a full-strength marine environment.  This species is also best kept as single individuals (it will eventually bite/kill its tankmates), and though a small species (to less than three inches) it likes having some room to roam with minimum recommended tank size being 30-gallons.  You can find much more information re this species by perusing our articles and FAQs.  A good place to start is here, following the associated links in blue:  http://www.wetwebmedia.com/BrackishSubWebIndex/fig8pufffaqs.htm >>
And yes, I know the figure eight is usually brackish...
<Not usually...is>>
All that considered here is my question.  The blenny is getting aggressive with my firefish.  It is not at feeding times, so I doubt the theory that he isn't getting enough to eat.  I thought it could be a territorial/spatial issue.
<<Very likely this "is " the issue>>
I had one big pile of live rock, so I split it into two piles thinking that maybe the blenny would pick one to call his own, but no luck.
<<This tank is too small...does not afford enough "separation">>
He swims between the two like he owns it all. :)
<<Indeed...these blennies generally occupy relatively small territories on the reef (sometimes smaller than a square meter...but still larger than a 20-gallon tank) and will defend vigorously from perceived invaders>>
I have thought about splitting it into three piles, but not sure if this would help.
<<probably not>>
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
<<I'm afraid your best option is to remove one or the other>>
And just as a side note, no one else in the tank is involved in this dispute.
<<Not surprising...only the blenny and the firefish would compete for the same food items/occupy the same niche on the reef.  Nemateleotris magnifica is a peaceful (conspecifics aside) almost timid fish that can be difficult to keep under the best of conditions.  The continued aggression from the blenny will likely result in its demise>>
Thanks a lot!
Robin
<<A pleasure to share, Eric Russell>>

Fish Compatibility (Blennies Mostly) – 12/19/06
First off I'd like to say, great web site.
<<Danka>>
It's been very informative.
<<Good to know>>  
I've been reading ever since my husband moved his 90-gallon tank in 2 yrs ago.  I've never had to ask a question until now.
<<Ask away...>>
My husband and I have a 225-gallon tank with a large refugium and sump.
<<Neat!  I love big tanks>>
It's about a year old with plenty of hairy, wiry, red algae all over our 200+ lbs of live rock.  Currently there are 2 slate urchins and 2 hitchhiking Chitons that are making a very small dent in the algae.
<<Mmm, if this is a goal...you may want to consider a couple Mespilia globulus urchins or a Diadema species such as Diadema setosum or Echinothrix diadema.  The latter is also known as the “longspine urchin” and can reach a foot in diameter (I know...I have one!), and both species might sample some corals if present...though probably no more threat than those slate urchins you already have>>
Originally my husband wanted the "rock skipper blenny" (Blenniella chrysospilos),
<<An attractive fish...for a blenny [grin]>>
but settled for a "lawnmower" (Salarias fasciatus) when he couldn't find the rock skipper.
<<A popular choice>>
We also have a “sailfin blenny" (Emblemaria pandionis).  Yes, these two get along.
<<Excellent>>
Our sailfin has his spot down in the lower right corner making his home amongst some zoanthids.  He'll dart out from his hole, grab some food, and quickly repositions himself back in his little cubby.  The lawnmower is all over the place attacking the red, hairy algae like a mad dog.  My husband finally found the rock skipper he had been looking for, and had to buy it.  It's currently isolated in a breeder tank located on the bottom in an area where both blennies hang out.  We've heard and we’ve read conflicting information on if the rock skipper and the lawnmower can coexist in the same tank.
<<Opinions/experiences vary>>
Is our tank large enough in size for the two to coexist?
<<Likely so, the size of a system can play a large role...though removing the lawnmower blenny, rearranging some of the rockwork, and introducing/reintroducing “both” fishes at the same time could improve the odds they will get along.  In many instances, compatibility issues arise due to the fact one fish is already “established” in a system.  I have a pair of flame angels in my reef system that were acquired and introduced together and as a result get along fine.  This is not a fool-proof method and doesn’t work on every species or every fish, but has its merits in some instances>>
One source thought the lawnmower would be picked on buy the rock skipper.  Another source thought the opposite that the rock skipper would be picked on by the lawnmower.  And somewhere either I read or I dreamt that the two could coexist since they were of different genus and species, or have I gone crazy?
<<Hard to say...if so, it can depend greatly on size/individual aggression of a single individual...and fishes of a different genus or species may still fight if shape/coloration are similar or if they are competing for/are from the same “niche” on the reef...or...like the ubiquitous domino damsel, are just plain mean...>>
Are we wishful in thinking that there is enough live rock with algae and enough swimming space that the two just might get along or are we dreaming?
<<Could work...though supplemental feeding may eventually be required>>
Our only other possibility is to take our “black highfin, jester blenny" (Atrosalarias fuscus) out of the 90 gallon and put the new guy in there.  I really do not want to do that.  I really get a kick out of the black highfin with his marble markings that surface once he's settled into his hole.  My husband wishes to get rid of him.  Says he's lazy and doesn't do his job on the algae.  Any answers to our ordeal?
<<Nothing definitive I’m afraid, just as already stated>>
Oh, one last question.
<<Sure>>  
Everywhere I've read claims the lawnmower and the rock skipper may nip at clam mantles.
<<Is a possibility, yes.  I consider blennies one of the “less safe” of the commonly kept so called “reef safe” fishes.  I have even seen a bi-color blenny munch on noxious colt coral>>
So far the lawnmower has left our clam alone.  Should we be concerned about the lawnmower?
<<May bear watching>>
Any thoughts about the rock skipper disturbing the clam should we introduce it to the tank?
<<Not much to do but keep an eye on things/intervene if necessary>>
Thank you in advance.
Julie and Frank
<<Quite welcome.  Eric Russell>>

Blenny mixing  11/12/06
Hello,
   I have a 65 gallon reef tank, I was wondering if I can add lawnmower blennies in with my black sailfin blennies?    Thanks-Sue
<Mmm, a Salarias species might well fight with any other bottom dwelling fish... I would skip this mix. Bob Fenner>

Betting Against A Blenny?   11/7/06
Hey guys.
<Scott F. your guy tonight!>
I have some questions about Istiblennius chrysospilos. I'm thinking  of getting one for my 30 G tank. It's got a Clark's clown, some LPS  and a small but growing fast colony of Xenia.  I've heard that these blennies "may" nip at stony corals and clams.  Is this a hard and  fast rule, or is it more of a general individualistic behavior for these fish?
<I think it's relatively individualistic. I've kept these fishes, and others of the genus over the years in stony coral-dominated tanks, and I've never had any nipping on corals occur. But that's just me, of course! Other hobbyists have not been so fortunate. If you research them on fishbase.org and other scientific sites, you'll notice that their wild diet mainly consists of algae and small benthic invertebrates. Coral is not specifically indicated in any of the literature that I've seen. Perhaps they are nipping at animals or algae that occur on corals; regardless, nipping is not a good thing for many corals in captive systems, so you'll be taking a small chance if you elect to keep one in a coral system.>
I've also heard some anecdotal evidence that states that coral- nipping fish are less likely to do so if provided a varied diet and  are well-fed. I've got some green hair algae for him to graze on, but my question is how to give a herbivore a varied diet.  I know that the dried Spirulina flakes would be in order, as well as the Nori-on-a-rock industry standard. Are there any other sorts of food I could give this fish (as well as any other herbivore I may have later) a good variety?
Thanks for the help,
Sam
<I would tend to agree with the position that states that variety is the key to avoiding possible damage to your inverts...Again, no guarantees, but plenty of varied, nutritious foods can go a long way towards keeping fishes from nipping at your precious sessile inverts! Hope this helps! Regards, Scott F.>

Nips on Crocea Clam and Plate Coral   7/25/06
I have a small crocea clam and a short tentacle plate coral (Fungia fungites) that recently have been getting half-circle shaped nips, about
2mm wide.  They occur at night, and usually there are just 2-3 nips on each.  The nips are on the edges of the clam mantle, and on the tops of the ridges on the plate coral.  Both the clam and the plate coral have been in the tank for about 9 months, and have been healthy and growing, and thus far, regrow the nipped areas very quickly.   I have not added any new live rock or coral in at least 6 months, so I doubt I have a new hitch-hiker.
<Perhaps an old, getting-larger, hungrier one...>
Fish - Ocellaris Clown, Chalk Basslet, Longnose Hawkfish, Horned Blenny (Parablennius spp.), and a Hawaiian Fourline Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus tetrataenia).  
<These last two might be the culprit here>
Invertebrates - Sally Lightfoot Crab (Percnon gibbesi), (2) small blue-legged hermits (Clibanarius tricolor) and a larger zebra hermit
(Calcinus laevimanus), Margarite snails (Margarites pupillus), Nassarius snails.
<Mmm, note, genera are capitalized... I'll do this for you before posting>
I never see any of these animals on, or hanging around the clam or plate coral.  All of the fish & invertebrates have been in the tank for 1 year+, except the blenny and the basslet.  The crab & the blenny are at the tops of my suspect list, but I don't know how to verify this.  Any suggestions?
<Well... the Percnon is "nippy", but doesn't leave crescent bite marks... I suspect one of the mentioned fishes... number one suspect the blenny... Could remove to elsewhere and see if the bite marks cease... Bob Fenner>
Steve

Re: Nips on Crocea Clam and Plate Coral   7/25/06
Would it be normal for any of these suspects to show absolutely no interest in the clam or plate coral during the day, and then munch on them at night?
<<Lisa here. Yes, that is quite possible.>>

Midas Blenny Compatibility   7/18/06
Hey Crew, <Hey there, Leslie here with you this evening>
May I get your thoughts on adding a Midas Blenny to my mix?
<Sure, they are entertaining and adorable. I love them!>
My LFS has a gorgeous one about 5" long. <Nice>
Tank:  150 gallon, 150 pounds LR, sump, fuge, Euro Reef, MH
Residents (all have been in my tank for at least a year):  2 Purple Tile Fish (2 years!),  Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura), mated pair O. Clowns, 3 green Chromis, Pearly Jawfish, Canary Blenny, LPS.  
<In that size tank I think you should be just fine.>
Many Thanks
<You're most welcome and best of luck with your new fish. Cheers, Leslie>

Will algae blenny ruin my tank's "feel"?   6/18/06
Hello -
<Hi there>
quick question for you (lots of writing, but a quick question <g>)...
I have a roughly 60 gallon tank that someone built for themselves before selling it to me on eBay.  It is 36"x24"x18", so it has more  
"horizontal surface" in the tank than a "standard" 60 gallon (perhaps an important fact given the fish involved, perhaps not).
<Yes>
There is roughly 65 lbs of live rock in the tank (arranged to provide lots of interesting channels, caves, and resting spots for the  
critters listed below), a 4" deep sand bed, and a home made sump/refugium that holds approximately 10 gallons of water (5 of it in the  
refugium section where bubble Caulerpa and Chaetomorpha are working away).  I am also running an EV-120 protein skimmer, and a 4" crocea  
clam in the main tank helps process the water as well.
<Neat>
My plan from the beginning has been to go with all small fish, including several "rock sitters" that tank observers will only notice  
AFTER they've been looking at the corals (mostly SPS and LPS) for awhile and then see the fish suddenly dart from one spot to another.
Current fish/shrimp line-up:
2 percula clowns*
2 purple firefish
1 Rainford's goby (eats a variety of frozen and flake foods in addition to tank critters so he doesn't seem to be starving (knock on wood)!)
1 red head goby (Elac. punct.)
4 green banded gobies (Elac. mult.)
2 peppermint shrimp
2 cleaner shrimp
Down the road, I am hoping to add one of the colorful mandarin "gobies" (Synchiropus) as well.
My question is:
In a separate 12 gallon tank, I have a 3.5" algae blenny that my wife and daughter would like to see in the big tank in the living room  
rather than the little tank in my office.  I, too, think it would be nice to have the fish in a more visible place, but I have the following concern:
I have read in a number of places that they sometimes become fairly territorial, and I would hate for all my gobies to wind up spending  
most of their time in hiding rather than flitting about as they do now.  If the algae blennies only get territorial towards fish with  
similar body shapes, perhaps I am ok for now... but when I add the mandarin, it will be the most "similar" fish in the tank, and I'd  
rather have the mandarin (and the rest of the gobies) than the algae blenny if the WWM Gods declare "thou shall not even think of adding the blenny, Nate."  Would you recommend adding the algae blenny? Not a problem? a huge problem?  or is it truly one of those 50-50 toss- ups dependent on the fish's own personality?
Thanks in advance!
Nate
<Mmm, I share your concern (enough) Nate that I would not place this Salarias/Atrosalarias blenny. Too likely as you state to negatively interact with what you have established, hope to add. Bob Fenner>
* well, I haven't actually counted the spines, but I am thinking probably one true and one false percula, though my LFS sold it to me as "true" when I first got into the hobby.  Anyhow, I bring it up to add to the collective pool of "captive clownfish lore"... the true percula is a fairly recent addition to the tank, and it came from the wild, whereas the first one was definitely tank raised.  Though it has not fully adopted my branching hammer coral yet (as I have read they sometimes do in captivity, even though they would not in the  
wild), the wild percula is definitely spending a lot of time hanging out right on the edge of the hammer coral - and actually seems to be trying to show the other one "how to chill with the coral" as well...   the old one doesn't seem too interested yet, but the new one definitely is getting closer and closer to swimming "in" the coral every day!  pretty neat!
<I'll say!>

Thanks for Saving My Corals... LFS Mistake, WWM to the Rescue, Exallias! - 03/25/2006
This is only the second time I write to you (first time was regarding Euro-reef skimmer advice) but read your website religiously.  My entire system has been built, more or less, on your advice.  <Very cool, mine too!>
I just wanted to send a note of gratitude.  I recently visited my LFS to purchase some fish.  Came home with a Kole Tang, Mandarin Goby and a Leopard Blenny (Exallias brevis).  
System is a 175G reef tank, 200 lbs of LR and refugium that has been up and running for over a year - all parameters test normal (Mandarin should be fine - I hope). <As long as there is enough food for him in there.> No problems ever.
The Blenny was sold to me as a "totally reef safe" specimen that only eats algae. <VERY common - if they just used the books they sell in the store...> I was not familiar with this specimen so I had to look him up on your site before adding him to my reef system. <Very good practice!> Lo and behold - a coral eater!  Immediately brought him back to the store and referenced your "write-up" on this fish.  LFS' owner was defiant, his response: "Depends on who you ask (regarding the fish's coral eating habits)..."  I researched other websites regarding this fish and it is clearly a coral eater, yet the LFS owner refuses to acknowledge.
Anyway I am so happy he didn't enter my tank (LFS took him back) <Glad that he let you return him!> and just hope this LFS owner was just trying to save face with me and does not try to sell the Blenny as a reef safe fish to someone else.  Buyer beware!  All my corals are thriving and growing and I don't know what I would have done had this Blenny ruined my system.  <Wonderful and you're very welcome.  One of the reasons why everyone here does what they do and enjoys doing it!>
As a side note, this guy had about 8 Mandarins in his store - I figured I had to try and save at least one of them.  <I think we all have this weakness at one time or another!>
Much gratitude fellas.  <and girls too!  Have a great one, Jen S.>

Sailfin tang injury
I have a pacific Sailfin tang and a bi-color blenny in a 55 gallon tank. The
other day I guess the tang wandered too close to one of the blenny's many
hang outs and the blenny took a nip out of the tang's lower fin. The pet
store recommended a chemical treatment-what do you think. The tang seems
fine, no redness or anything (yet). And I thought blennies are fairly
peaceable...I made sure to provide lots of live rock ...Thanks, Carolyn
>>
Well, actually, as you've found some Blennies are quite territorial... and some are absolute terrors (the subfamily/tribe Nemophini includes "Saber tooth" Blennies, and other species that make a living out of tearing off bits of other fishes...). But I agree with your apparent sentiment. Leave the Tang alone... it will heal by itself... manipulating it would likely add to the animals stress.
Bob Fenner

Lawnmower blenny
Hi Bob,
I just added a 4-5 inch lawnmower blenny to my 125G reef. Other tank
inhabitants include 2 green Chromis, Naso, Kole, and yellow tangs,
Percula, 2 barred gobies, 2 cleaner shrimp, several peppermints and
other inverts. My concern is did I just add a potential problem to my
tank?
<Unlikely... these Combtooth Blennies are not common prey to these animals or predaceous toward them... almost exclusively feeders on filamentous algae>
He seems ok so far, everyone else did their stare downs. Is it
common for these fish to be easily startled or is because it is a new
place for him? 
<Yes, and they are just naturally skittish period>
My main concern is will he eat any of my corals or go
after the shrimp? 
<Very unlikely>
He seems very peaceful but now the day after I add him
I hear that he is not compatible with Kole tangs or he may attack my
hand when I have it in the tank. Is there any truth to these accusations
or should he continue to be a peaceful addition to my tank? 
<Bizarre. Never heard such things from credible sources>
Thank you much!
Eric Liebe
<Not to worry my friend. Bob Fenner>

Chubby Salarias (Algae Eating Blenny)
Bob,
While reading your newest faq page today (a daily ritual...just hope the boss doesn't see!) 
<Yikes, me neither>
I read a question from someone that was worried about a chubby Salarias, and would like to relate a recent experience I had with a lawnmower blenny.
<Ah, great... can barely wait till we have somewhat of a "forum" for folks to do this interchange>
I had an outbreak of ich in my 72 gal in which I lost a couple of fish, including a lawnmower blenny. I treated my tank and was able to save 3 fish, much thanks to you on your help with that situation. After all had settled down I ordered another Salarias from FFExpress, and it arrived healthy and happy and went to work eating off the live rock. Within the first two weeks I noticed he was FAT...this little fishes belly was so bulged he could barely perch on his fins without his gut hitting bottom. Yet he continued to eat and eat and eat. A month after adding the fish I added a small flame angel that also spends a great deal of time picking off the live rock, but also eats flake and frozen food very well. Then, 3 weeks ago I added a 3" yellow tang, that eats a little flake food but spends most of the time grazing.
<Okay>
Over the last 3 weeks I noticed the Salarias getting thinner and thinner, yet he was still munching on the live rock. Unfortunately when I came into the office yesterday after the weekend he was laying on his side and breathing rapidly and was dead by the end of the day. Despite the 60+ pounds of live rock, did the angel, tang and blenny simply not have enough grazing food?? Or did the blenny eat himself out of food his first month? ( I can't stress how fat this fish was!) In all he only lasted about 10 weeks in the tank.
<All of this is possible... My "standard" statement is not to place a Salarias fasciatus in anything smaller than a sixty, with plenty of healthy, established live rock... and not to have too many competitors for the filamentous algae to be cropped there... Sometimes I'll give a nod to the equally prodigious and typically smaller Atrosalarias fuscus, another True or Combtooth Blenny that is commonly available... instead, as it tends to come in smaller, doesn't get as large, not as likely to starve...>
I'm hesitant now to get another Salarias because if I don't have enough available food I don't want to loose another fish. This blenny was about 5 inches long. Is that large? 
<Yes, about maximum size...>
What is the possibility it died from old age? 
<Some>
I didn't' notice any parasites on him, and all the other fish are fine. The tang and the angel are the only other fish that eat algae in the tank and would take away from his food source (other than a clean up crew)
Anyway, just curious and thought I'd pass on my experience with a fat Salarias...maybe it will make someone think on their purchase of tankmates in relation to available food.. I know I will, despite the fact that the lawnmower blenny (nicknamed Torro) was the most popular and comical fish in the office tank!
Thanks, as always,
Kris, PA
<Thank you for this input... I would try the Atrosalarias genus or request a decidedly smaller Salarias (three inches or so) if it were my system. Bob Fenner>

One last question. (chubby Salarias)
Hello again. Thanks so much for all of your advice and help so far.
We ended up going with a Rusty Dwarf Angel and a "Lemon" Tang (not sure
if that is it's real common name because I haven't found anything on it
yet.)
<Likely a mimic tang variety of Acanthurus pyroferus... take a look on the WetWebMedia.com site re these>
But after 5 days, they've both done extremely well, and there's
been no quarreling between any of the fish. the two new fish have both
taken to the reef aquarium comfortably and have found their own niches
amidst the other fish and reef life. it's still too early to tell, but
I think they'll last us a while barring any freak accidents. I just
had one quick question, though. since we removed the murderous
hawkfish, our algae blenny has started to get noticeably chubby given
his newfound freedom to graze wherever he pleases. should I be worried
about it eating too much? 
<No... this happens in the wild and in captivity. No problem>
otherwise, all the fish are doing well. the
Dottyback has even eased up a bit on its aggressiveness since the
introduction of the bigger dwarf angel. thanks for all your help.
Chris Pua
<You're welcome my friend. Bob Fenner>

Blenny compatibility question
Hi Bob,
I am considering getting a Lawnmower blenny for my 120g reef tank. I also would like to add a Midas Blenny. Would the two fish work out ok in this tank or would one try to harass/kill the other? Thanks,
<In this size, type system, should be no problem. Wish I had videotaped the many Salarias fasciatus interactions I saw earlier this month in Pulau Redang, Malaysia... amongst themselves and a few Atrosalarias fuscus... pretty much ignore all non-algae eating fishes. Bob Fenner>
Dave

Compatibility of Wrasse and Blenny
Mr. Fenner,
I was hoping that you could advise me on how well a Salarias fasciatus (lawnmower blenny) and a Pseudocheilinus hexataenia (six-line wrasse) would get along in my tank. The LFS says it will work, but I am a little nervous because I have heard that they both establish territories on the live rock.
<Yes, they should... occupy different niches (though both mostly "in the rock"... Have seen these two together in systems many times>
Here are my system specs:
29-30 gal (it's a custom flatback hex that I got as a gift, so I'm not exactly sure of the gallonage, but it is 36" long)
<Hmm, can calculate... by LWH, 231 cubic inches per gallon... maybe use a piece of paper to detail... or by filling with a container of known volume... important information to have at times...>
~25 lbs. of LR
~35 lbs. of aragonite sand (gives me a semi-DSB of 3.5-4")
Magnum 350 for mechanical filtration and circulation
Penguin 550 powerhead (turns over 125 gph)
Brand new Prizm protein skimmer that I am still breaking in
Ammonia/nitrite are always 0
Nitrate goes from 15-30 ppm depending on how recently I did a water change (I'm hoping the protein skimmer and the removal of the Biowheel from my Magnum will bring these levels down)
pH 8.2, temp about 79 degrees.
<Yes, should>
Current inhabitants are:
1 C. solandri puffer (3")
2 false Percula clowns (1.5 and 2")
and the lawnmower blenny, who is about 2"
<A bit crowded... keep your eye on the blenny to assure it's not getting too thin>
I've probably given you WAAYYYY more information than you'll ever need, but at least you won't have to ask me for more! The wrasse I want to add is 1.5-2". Do you think this would work okay? If anything does go drastically wrong, the LFS will always take fish back from me because I spend so much money in there :). I really appreciate your opinion.
<Hmm, yes, should be fine.>
Please do keep up the good work,
Laura
<I will try my friend. Bob Fenner>

Disaster!!
Hello, well we had our first big disaster today!! I've e mail a few times with various beginners questions and everything had been going well up until today. As a matter of fact we were finally beginning to relax. We have a new 90 gal aquarium with 100 lbs of live rock. We cycled it and bought our first 2 fish, 2 Percula clowns. They did fine, we lost a few Turbos and one sally light foot, but everything else was fine. Last weekend we added our first new fish, a red lipped blenny. We had algae all over the tank and in one week he chowed it down!! We couldn't believe it. Tonight when we were looking at him, we couldn't believe how fat he was!! 
<yes...very cool and useful fish>
Anyway, we spent all day in Tampa today looking for a new fish. We wanted to get a hippo tang. 
<also known as an "Ich Magnet"... always full 4 week QT for these guys>
We finally found a cute small one who ate well. We bought him ( and a r/o unit ) and a few other things, including special food for him. We brought him home, acclimated him and let him go. 
<aiiiieeeeeee! A quick search of the archived FAQ's on this site will let you know that a blue tangs weight is made up nearly in half by white-spot disease...hehe. PLEASE quarantine all fish without exception... it saves money and lives>
He was happy right away, eating the algae, we fed the clowns and he ate the brine shrimp too, etc. 
<easy on the brine shrimp too...mostly water... a nearly useless food. Too bad it is so well liked>
Everything was jolly . . . until the blenny realized someone else was eating the algae. He starting nipping at him everywhere and leaving marks, we were sooooooo upset!! I panicked, not sure what to do, I wanted to get the blenny out of there. But with all our live rock we didn't know what to do. So we started pulling the live rock out of the tank piece by piece until we got the little bully out. We dumped him into the quarantine tank. 
<holy crap... you have a QT tank and didn't use it for the tang?! You guys are killing me! (smile)>
But now the whole tank is so stirred up and our two clowns are going nuts and our poor little hippo, is up in the corner I'm sure totally freaked out!!! 
<yeah.. a bit of stress there>
We took out 80% of our live rock and set it on the floor, it was out for only about 5 minutes and we put it right back in. So we're hoping that there wasn't die off.
<no chance of it... that rock is moist and out of water for DAYS on import>
What can you tell me? Did we freak out just because the blenny was nipping at the tang?? 
<yep... some establishment of a pecking order is expected with all new fish. If it amounts to tears in fins you might have reason for concern... but nips and chasing is common>
Should we have just let it happen?? I didn't know what to do.
The blenny was doing obvious damage to the tang. 
<agreed then... someone had to be removed>
I'm just hoping we don't lose 2 fish over this. It was so upsetting. The water is very cloudy right now but we've got 3 powerheads going full blast and the skimmer running. Hopefully it'll be cleared up by morning. I just hope the tang is OK. I have a feeling the clowns will be fine. Let me know what you think.
Distressfully yours, Katie and John Michael
<do relax, friends... you primary concern right know is that you dodge a bullet from the tang getting Ich and taking the whole tank with him for the lack of quarantine... it really is a big deal. Please don't learn the hard way like so many of us. QT is to last 4 weeks for all wet animals brought in (Fish, coral, shrimp, crabs, etc)... conservative but safe and responsible. Best regards, Anthony>

Disaster!! II
Thank you for your quick response. I'm a little more relaxed this am.
<glad to help>
I forgot to mention that we decided not to quarantine this fish because our q-tank was less than optimal water wise, the guy at the store treats with copper and is a reputable dealer but . . . 
<to be clear... that does not help much or at all in reality. Copper is only effective against Crypt (Ich) but little else. Gill flukes and velvet bury too deep in the flesh to be phased by copper, as with most other pathogens. Even then, the copper has to be dosed daily and tested to keep up with therapeutic levels and carbon or chemical filtration cannot be run in the meantime. So if they run copper therapeutically at all times, then they never run chemical filtration? That is far worse for water quality in a holding/merchant system. And after all of that, any value to the practice is wasted if new fish shipments are added weekly. A fish held for a month is just as contagious as the new fish in the same tank added the day before you bought the tang (a new potential carrier for exposure... no kill on site for copper)>
I still feel bad that anything happened at all.
<agreed... you couldn't have foreseen the aggression of the blenny>
This morning the tang was behind a powerhead, I thought he was stuck. So, I got him out and he started swimming like he'd be OK but then he went up in the corner and is still there. The clowns are fine, eating this am already. 
<good to hear>
The tang is kind of "butt up" in the corner but doesn't look like he's
breathing hard. Do you think he'll be OK?? What are his chances?? He didn't eat this am, but I didn't expect him to. We'll keep the lights off today. Anything else you can think of that we can do to keep him alive??
<slightly lower salinity (towards 1.018) and very good aeration/protein skimming will help>
Yeah, we're still working with our q-tank, we've been having problems with high ammonia and not being able to get copper levels right. 
<wow... there is a better way. QTs do not need to run or cycle in advance. Empty QT waiting... have a sponge filter running in healthy main tank at all times and it will stay cycled with the fish load in the display. When the QT is needed, bring the dirty sponge filter and 50% old water down to the QT and top off QT and display with new seawater. Quick and easy. And copper is only useful for Crypt... not much else. I generally don't use it but as necessary. See other posts on Q&A Monday and archived describing this>
So we bought a new weird sort of sponge filter for it that bubbles up with an air stone. Unsightly but the store owner recommended it for decreasing the ammonia and getting the copper right. 
<agreed... ugly but very effective. My first choice for QT>
I guess that's a lesson to us to not buy a fish until the q tank is set up properly. It's a 10 gallon by the way. So, that's why we didn't use it. We had full intent. Do you think that the blenny wouldn't have nipped at him??
<no...probably would have happened anyway... the tang just would have been stronger and recovered faster>
OK, our q tank the other day had ammonia of .5 and copper of .4, trace of everything else. 
<the ammonia is tolerable (especially with water changes)... but the copper level is inaccurate or deadly!!! over .25 is scary... water changes ASAP to lower or use a poly filter>
(I know I know, the blenny is in there, but we had no other
choice but flushing him alive and I couldn't bear that . . . ) 
<how about trading him back to the LFS or finding a local aquarium society... a great place for information>
We put this yellow almost clover shaped sponge filter in the tank with an air stone hose bubbling through it. 
<I know it well... Jungle brand "Dirt Magnet"... a great little filter>
We're gonna check the water right now to see if the ammonia and copper are down. 
<it will take days/weeks this way>
The blenny is still all funny striped and breathing heavily and alive. 
<the copper is the problem... too high, emergency>
Not sure if he'll recuperate. But . . . what can I do.
What do you suggest with this q tank? Put every fish in there for 4 weeks and treat with just copper or copper and some abx?? 
<4 weeks and medicated only as necessary. Copper for Crypt, Formalin/Quick cure would be better for parasites. Freshwater dips would be best (read through articles/archives on this site/topic)>
Please help. Every since we set this tank up the q tank has been a mind boggler.
<just needed good info from go. A sponge or extra Powerfilter running and ready on the main tank is all you need. The QT can stay empty in storage until needed>
Thanks for all your help and support. We'll update you on the health of all fish. Hopefully our tang will be OK. Have a great Easter!!
Katie and John Michael
<our best regards to you and yours, Anthony>

Blenny nipping fins
hi
<greetings>
I have a lawnmower blenny that has nipped off the majority of my yellow tangs fins. 
<they are territorial although not usually to this extent>
he doesn't do this to any of the other fish. He is well fed with algae
and has plenty of rockwork in a 120 gal. 
<indeed, it has nothing to do with feeding, but rather aggression>
If you have any tricks please pass them on.
<they most likely need to be separated. Anthony>

2 Lawnmower Blennies in same tank.
Two weeks ago I purchased a Lawnmower/algae blenny. I acclimated the fish
and put him in my 120G. He seemed happy. The next day I could not find
him. The whole week went and I still could not find him. I took a flashlight
and checked the rock, the overflows, and the sump. No fish. Assuming (key
word
here) that the fish was gone I purchased another blenny the next
weekend.
This (the new) blenny has been happy in the reef for the last week. He is
doing
fine after a week and I see him in the main tank.
Last night while watching the tank I saw something in one of the
overflow. Guess who !!! Yep, lawnmower #1.
<Mmm, lucky... on both your parts>
Can I have two of these guys in the main 120G tank?
<Maybe not... this is a great fish to watch underwater in the wild (and in fish tanks!)... constantly harvesting the area about it... aware and chasing, being chased by other Atrosalarias fuscus (and often other wanna-be algae eaters) in "its" territory which can be a square meter to a few square meters (depending principally on size of the individuals, availability of foodstuffs)>
LOVE the site - keep up the good work!
<Will endeavor to do so. Thank you, Bob Fenner>
 Andrew Culross

Re: 2 Lawnmower Blennies in same tank.
"Maybe Not" - Don't have a good feeling about this. I have another 29G tank
in the basement. Would you put him there or risk the 2 of them in the 120
with plenty of foodstuff (at the moment)?
<Well... my "stock" response is that this species "needs" about a sixty gallon system to support one individual... Please see here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/trublennies.htm and the linked FAQs beyond... if your 29 has a bunch of algal growth on a bunch (love that term) of live rock... and the specimen is smallish... will likely do. Make sure the tank cover has no holes large enough for the animal to launch itself out of. Bob Fenner>

Re: 2 Lawnmower Blennies in same tank.
No LR in the 29G. Some algae growth. I realize all individuals are different but I'm trying to make an informed choice here. If I put him in the 120G there will be no chance of retrieving him. Do, in general - in your experience, lawnmower get along or fight?
<They almost always fight... unless there is sufficient space, food, hiding/visual get-away places... If there is not a real need for another, tolerance of angst on your part, I'd trade the one in. Bob Fenner>
Thank you.

Blenny With A Dark Side!
Thank you for all the information that you provide all of us, it is truly appreciated.  After my 75 gallon tank cycled using 100lbs of Fiji live rock I added 1 green Chromis, 1 hippo tank, 1 red lip blenny, some scarlet leg hermits and some peppermint shrimp.  Fish all at once, and inverts at another time.  At first everything was great, the blenny want nuts on the algae as did the tang.  Then things changed,  I would find hermits obliterated on the rock and substrate.  The tang started showing a raw or damaged area on its one side.  Now I know that the hippo is supposed to have an attitude at times, but it was shying in a decorative Acro skeleton I had.  I was at a loss as to the root of the problem.  This all happened in the course of a few days, with all of the water parameters per specs.  I was at a loss as to the root of these problems.  Wouldn't you know one day I watched as the red lip blenny attacked the tang, hitting him right where the injury was on his side, then watched as he proceeded to pull a hermit out of the shell and wrench it apart.  I was shocked, what I have read about the blenny was that they were peaceful grazers, this one was the devil himself!!  I removed him to a stock tank (no easy task) where I have been holding live rock.  This was over four months ago and I see him every once and a while eating algae.  The tang has healed and no more hermits are dismembered.  My question:  is this "normal" for this type of blenny (greatest algae eater I have seen) if this is not unusual, please warn others of this.  Sorry for the long story. Thank you again, WWM has been an indispensable source of information.
<Thanks for sharing this story with our readers. As you have discovered, these fishes are great algae grazers, but they do tend to get territorial once they get settled in. I have had a number of friends who experienced the same thing that you did with these little guys. They have been implicated in the occasional damage to corals and clams in reef tanks as well. They are neat fish, but they certainly can be rambunctious once they feel comfortable! Regards, Scott F>

The Midas Touch!
Hello Bob and staff.
<Scott F. here today!>
I hope all is well. I saw a Midas Blenny in my LFS the other day and am thinking about adding him to my tank.  Currently I have :
30 gallon tank with:
45-55 lbs premium Fiji live rock
1 Halichoeres chrysus
1 percula clownfish (true)
1 pistol shrimp
1 cleaner shrimp.
1 Linckia starfish
1 Cryptocentrus leptocephalus
Assorted tiny blue leg hermit crabs
My question is about compatibility.  Would the existence of my watchman goby be too conflicting?  My idea would be to arrange the rock structure high and thick so that the blenny could stay in the structure and keep away from the ground level where the watchman spends his days. What do you think, yah or nay?  Your opinion is much valued and appreciated.
<Well- I like these little guys...I think that it can work if you have enough rock structure to give everyone there own "home base". I keep assorted blennies and small wrasses together (albeit in a much larger tank), but have not really experienced and territorial or compatibility issues. These fishes do have a tendency to swim into the water column at time, but your wrasse will probably not be too concerned with him. I'd go for it!>
PS- A friend pre mixes (into fresh water) and adds Kent Marine Kalkwasser mix into his reef tank.  We have noticed a thin film on the water surface lately.  Is this because of the mix, and is it normal? Thanks.
<Well, it's hard to say if this film is the result of Kalkwasser or just the usual organic surface film that you might see in a tank without surface skimming. Perhaps some of the Kalkwasser is precipitating out for a variety of reasons, but I'll bet the film is due to lack of surface agitation, organic build-up, or some other condition. Definitely worth the investigating, IMO!. Good Luck! Regards, Scott F>