Caught this fish - Reef Safe??

[Pico Keeper]

I saw this fish off a Jetty in Miami Beach. It's some sort of Blenny, but I cant find anything that looks like it online. I wanted to know if its reef safe. So far so good, but it did kick my pearly jawfish out of its cave and was bullying him a little bit.

Anyway, an ID would be nice.. looks alot like scooter/algae blenny or something of the like.

 

[rcmike]

Is that a molly miller blenny? I think that is what it is called.

 

[Sk8r]

The mouth shape says 'combtooth' blenny, and they're pretty reefsafe. I'd vote with Molly Miller.

 

[Pico Keeper]

Are these common to south florida? Will he be ok in a 47 gallon?
Ironically I was fishing and I saw a nurse shark swimming b/w the rocks in the jetty munching on some of my chum.... so after a while i decided to pet it for a while..pet it..went back to fishing, came back to pet it again, and i see this little guy right next to him, hanging unto some rocks..... grabbed him with my hand..no harm done first try.. i couldn't belive i grabbed him with my hand.

 

[spoiledcats]

It's pretty darn cute!

 

[edwing206]

this is a molly miller blenny http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=1429&N=3

 

[edwing206]

also what critters do you have that keep your sandbed so white and clean?

 

[John_Auberry]

I caught a jelly fish one time......it hurt

 

[Kawaii]

wow it's cute! nice find.

 

[Angel*Fish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8236351#post8236351 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spoiledcats
It's pretty darn cute!

Yes - extremely cute - but was Molly Miller as cute as this fish?

 

[Pico Keeper]

Ok it's a Milly Miller Blenny.
Today I tested his appetite..seems to love mysis and is munching on some nori as I type this. I guess he get's to stay.

 

[Chasmodes]

I had one years ago, very kewl fish indeed. Lot's of personality. They can get mean with similar type fish (hawkfish, blennies, gobies) but after awhile if well fed they settle down. Rearranging rock work will help if this happens. Otherwise, they will defend themselves boldly against just about any fish but generally don't go on the attack.

This fish was probably the one that got me hooked on blennies!

 

[north MIA]

i caught one too at biscayne bay.......

 

[syddakyd]

*** you were able to pet a wild shark? lmao

and you caught this with your hand?


whats up with florida wildlife. i wish it was liek that in NY rofl

 

[jmaneyapanda]

I have to say- while this case worked out OK, it is a BAD idea to collect fish for your aquarium without the proper research and authorization. How did you know this wasn't a protected species? What if it isn't reef safe- it's already in your tank, right? What if it is harboring a pathogen?

I am not trying to be aggressive or a party pooper- wild collection is fine, but do your homework first.

 

[newreefbishop]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8245050#post8245050 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jmaneyapanda
I have to say- while this case worked out OK, it is a BAD idea to collect fish for your aquarium without the proper research and authorization. How did you know this wasn't a protected species? What if it isn't reef safe- it's already in your tank, right? What if it is harboring a pathogen?

I am not trying to be aggressive or a party pooper- wild collection is fine, but do your homework first.

REmember this is Florida, we are pretty much sorrounded by reefs, Most of the fish you catch would probably go in an aggressive tank...but roughly 50% you can catch via hook or otherwise are reef safe......nice fish......I caught a SGT Major at Hillsboro Inlet.....click the house to see him in my 65.....I also caught a Blue Tang which is in quarantine right now......I Love living near the ocean.....lol

 

[bureau13]

Hang on though..."living in/on/around a reef in nature" and "reef safe in an aquarium" are two vastly different things. Many butterfly fish eat nothing but coral polyps. They obviously live in the reef area, but are about as reef unsafe as you can get.

jds

 

[Pico Keeper]

Well I knew it was a Blenny so I figured there was a good chance it was reef safe. I took the risk because my tank doesn't have any really expensive corals and if he had been unsafe, I would have moved him to a 55 gallon I have that is just holding some live rock.

The legality is something I didnt think about. thanks for bringin that up, I will definately look into whether it was legal for me to collect him. Probably not.

 

[thor32766]

as long as you have a saltwater fishing license your fine. go to the florida fish and game website and look under oramental fish collecting. it will have all the guide lines. nice catch!

 

[newreefbishop]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8247809#post8247809 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bureau13
Hang on though..."living in/on/around a reef in nature" and "reef safe in an aquarium" are two vastly different things. Many butterfly fish eat nothing but coral polyps. They obviously live in the reef area, but are about as reef unsafe as you can get.

jds

I agree totally, but hey doubt you would catch that with your hand....somethings just use common sense.....