Midas Blenny
Dear Mr. Fenner,
So, how can I determine which specimen that I have? Does it possibly just need more time? The fish is about 3 1/2 in. long now, could it just not be 
a mature specimen? Also, How am I suppose to know that the fish that I am receiving does not look anything like the fish in the picture before I 
purchase it? Is this an isolated incident for this specimen? Or is it possible for me to order a Purple Tang and receive a modeled brown on?
At 3 plus inches this is a mature individual... and it may well be a/the species Ecsenius midas... and may still change color... There is a large amount of variability in the color/markings of this blenny... For what it's worth, the Purple Tang is a much more "standard" color/markings species.
Bob Fenner>
> Dear Mr. Fenner,
> Last week I purchased a Midas blenny from ffexpress. When he arrived he was a dull brown color with light colored patches all over him. The first
> day all he did was swim into the power head, and by the next day he had developed a white fleshy looking patch that covered half of his left
> pectoral fin. He is now quite established to the aquarium, finding himself a hole to live in, eating, and no longer swimming into the power head, and
> the white patch is about half the size that it was. However he is still a brown - white modeled color and he still has the fleshy looking thing on 
> his pectoral fin. Do you have any suggestions on what I can do? The patch on his fin has not shrunk any in the last few days and he does not appear
> to be coloring at all.
> Thanks,
> Bryan Hunt
> Hmm, I'm wondering first off about the coloration of this Midas Blenny...  there is a wide range in the species Ecsenius midas...(most are yellow,
> orangish... with white banding posteriorly, underneath...) but there are also a bunch of other Ecsenius blennies... The initial behavior is nothing to be
> concerned about... just a bit of acclimating to new conditions, shipping stress... And the patch on the pectoral could be resultant to a small, simple
> injury... and should clear of its own accord... The color though... may be the actual permanent one of this specimen/species...
> Bob Fenner

Carnivore Bi-Color Blenny
I recently acquired a bi-color blenny, and it was to my surprise and shock when I saw it eat live brine shrimp and squid flesh. I saw that others have posted accounts of blennies eating carnivore flakes, but none that would eat flesh. Is there any fish that may mimic a bi-color blenny? I'm wondering if I have the real deal. 
<Erik, you have the real deal. James (Salty Dog)>
Thanks again,
Erik Cornelissen 

Re: Carnivore Bi-Color Blenny
Bi-Color Blenny
Thanks James. Does this imply that some blennies are omnivores, contrary to what is commonly thought, or that they simply eat flesh in new surroundings or under special conditions? 
<Erik, all fish will eat meat. Take a tang for instance or a Sailfin Blenny known to be algae eaters. That is a preference, but they will eat other foods readily. James (Salty Dog)>