Blennies in sps tanks

[Andyf30]

Hey guys I'm trying to finish off my stock, and was thinking about adding another fish or two. The question I have is I want either a tailspot blenny or a midas blenny, and was wondering if them perching amongst my sps would pose any problems, and whether or not they typically nip at anything like clam mantle, polyps, etc.

Thanks,
Andy

 

[gonpostal]

I have a Midas in my tank with SPS and a clam and he doesn't bother anything. He's probably my favorite fish.

 

[Andyf30]

I'm thinking a Midas/tailspot. And then maybe a flasher wrasse? Any opinions on how a flasher would fit in? I know both the hogfish and the melanurus might be aggressive, but I've added wrasses before and have had no issues with aggression.

 

[Spirofucci]

Midas Blenny....one of the coolest reef fish ever....

 

[Peter Eichler]

I would caution against a tailspot blenny and any other herbivorous blenny in an SPS tank. THe problem isn't them perching, it's that they often will nip corals. That said, a midas blenny or similar planktivorous blenny should be fine.

 

[Andyf30]

Looks like a midas is the way to go!

 

[gonpostal]

I'm thinking a Midas/tailspot. And then maybe a flasher wrasse? Any opinions on how a flasher would fit in? I know both the hogfish and the melanurus might be aggressive, but I've added wrasses before and have had no issues with aggression.

I also have a McCosker's Flasher Wrasse, everyone gets along just fine.

 

[mc-cro]

I have a tail spot, and mcckoskers, and a few other wrasses. My tailspot has never bothered any coral, but he does get chased around by my yellow eye kole

 

[rlpardue]

I have a pair of yellow-eyed combtooth blennies (Ecsenius Ops) in my tank. They're pretty much a tailspot blenny without the spot on their tail. Pretty neat pair of fish, always flitting around with each other, occasionally fussing with each other, and always spawning in their little holes. I'm not able to say with 100% certainty that they don't nip at SPS polyps. I've not seen them do it, at least not recently. I think they may have tried one or two when introduced to the tank, but not after the first week. (Or they may have been pecking at algae on the frag plug).

On the other hand, I once had a pair of mollie miller blennies from the Gulf of Mexico (Galveston-collected parents). Those little evil things would nip constantly. One ate my acan. They hung out on my frag rack and lunched....

 

[Brian Peterson]

FYI avoid a bi-color blenny. They will munch on sps as I have unfortunately witnessed. Midas are perfect.

 

[Acronic]

Amazing variety of experience. I had a tail spot blenny that would nip relentlessly. I also had a bi-color blenny that wouldnt touch any corals and he was huge!

 

[ninja66999]

my blenny chills on my devils hand leather.. it doesnt seem to mind much

 

[johnike]

I have a Midas, Tailspot, and a Starry.
No nipping, but the Starry loves to perch in SPS.