Goby/Blenny for SPS mixed reef

[Jpharr]

I was wondering if any of you out there have had problems with gobies or blennies nipping at SPS corals. I have heard read that they are reef safe, but in the same sentence they state that they may nip at SPS polyps or clam mantles. I am having problems with algae in my sand bed, and I am considering purchasing one. Any recommendations on a specific species would be appreciated.

 

[MCsaxmaster]

What kind of goby or blenny? Gobiidae comprises some 2000 species. It's hard to generalize. What species are you interested in?

Chris

 

[raynist]

I would think a midas blenny would be fine, they are not nippers the same way that a bicolor would be.

 

[Jpharr]

I have pretty much narrowed it down to a blenny because what I have read about their diet it seems like they as a group would be a better fit for my problem. That being said the ones that I am familiar with are Salarias fasciatus, Ecsenius bicolor, and Atrosalarias fuscus (Sailfin, bicolor, and Black sailfin respectively). I also just did a little research on the midas and like what I see. Any other suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Jpharr]

After a little more research I came up with two other species that I might be interested in. They are the starry blenny (salarias ramosus) and the two spot bimaculatus blenny (ecsenius bimaculatus). Supposedly, both are herbivores, and since I am wanting algae control it seems like that would be better over an omnivore. Anyways, if you have experience with either one of these please let me know.

 

[MiddletonMark]

IMO, algae problems are best solved through methods other than fish.

I've had luck with a couple different goby + blenny varieties with my Acropora [masked, green clown goby; midas blenny]. However, none eat algae.

 

[raynist]

I have had troubles with a bicolor and others of similar shape with clams in the past, they would pick at the clam nonstop. I don't think they would eat SPS, but they may pick at them trying to get algae.

--Ray