lawnmower vs. other Blenny types

[calhoun.22]

Hi folks, I am hoping to get a little input on blennys.

I have a 60 cube and want to add a blenny. It is a peaceful tank now that the Kole tang has been rehomed =)

There is a small amount of algae in the tank but that is not the sole purpose for wanting an algae blenny. I love their personalities. I have been looking at the options on LiveAquaria and have narrowed it down to the following options:

Lawnmower - had one once before but was a victim of the Kole tang.

Black Sailfin - I have concern because the description states "This member of the Blenniidae family is an obligate microalgae eater, which means it needs microalgae in its diet in order to survive."

Starry Blenny - I've heard great things about these guys but again the description indicates it needs "large amounts of natural algae to feed on".

Black Combtooth - seems less common, which I like and the description of the diet requirements seem lees dependent on large amounts of naturally growing algae.

Although I think the blenny eating some algae from the rockwork as it pops up I want to keep he conditions in the tank that do not promote growth. Would any of the blennys I have listed be in jeopardy of starvation in a tank with lower algae levels?

 

[WaReefer458]

I had a bi color in my 40 that just went MIA one day. So I decided to replace him with a regular lawnmower. The lawnmower wouldn't eat anything but algae in the tank. Wouldn't touch prepared foods. He almost starved to death until I finally caught him and exchanged it for another bicolor. Maybe I just have bad luck but the bicolors will eat mysis and other foods. The law mowers will not


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[bif24701]

My lawnmower eats hella bryopsis! Love this guy


Aaron

 

[scooter31707]

My LMB nips at corals and gets harass by my Mimic Tang. IMO, I think the LMB is the most aggressive out of the bunch, mines goes after smaller fish.

 

[SeattleReefer]

I have a Black Combtooth and a lawnmower, both eat algae and both have great personalities but the black combtooth is by far the better looking fish.

 

[saltwater_wannabe]

I have a Starry Blenny that eats both frozen food and algae from the rocks. Unfortunately he's going back to the LFS after he bullied two Firefish and my Longfin Goby to death. Cute little bugger, but real territorial.

I'm on the lookout for a Tailspot or Bicolor.

 

[calhoun.22]

THanks for the replys everyone.

As a follow up it I'd like to know more about people's experinace with supplementing the diet of these fish. I currently feed a blend of frozen foods including Rod's, Mysis, Marine Cuisine. When I had the Tang I also feed Emerald Entrée' and spirulina infused brine shrimp with an occasional nori sheet.

Would this suffice, in your opinion or would a blenny be better served with a quality flake food or pellet?

 

[SeattleReefer]

I have yet to see either of my blenny's take an interest in meaty foods, flakes, or pellets. They sure like the nori tho!

 

[MichelleMas]

My lawnmower eats algae, nori and will also nip at the Marine Cuisine/Mysis/Brine. He didn't start doing that until after I had him for about a month though.

 

[sepulvd]

my lawnmower bleeny ate everything I fed the tank from algae, to pellets and mysis

 

[kmbyrnes]

my lawnmower bleeny ate everything I fed the tank from algae, to pellets and mysis

Mine too. And the funniest fish ever. He sits and watches US!

 

[mmittlesteadt]

Mine too. And the funniest fish ever. He sits and watches US!

My LMB is a pig and eats EVERYTHING. He cleans up all the algae and eats anything I feed to anything else. He's a big, fat and hilarious pig that takes no crap from any other fish (clowns, Coral Beauty, Royal Gramma, etc.). Mine is a one fish clean-up crew that takes care of the rockwork to perfection. Hardy fish that eat a variety of foods, so if you run out of algae it won't matter.

 

[calhoun.22]

So far it is sounding by most of your's experience that a LMB would be a safe bet. Any thoughts on the black comb tooth?


This is good info, thank you much. I suppose the time it will spend in quarantine will help get it accustomed the a new food source.

 

[sepulvd]

I love LMB a lot of personality for a fish no idea about black comb except it's a prettier looking fish


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[PatW]

I have a nice blenny. I picked her up at the LFS. The source was the Caribbean but they did not know what kind. Being divers, we have Huamon and Deloach's large fish ID book for those waters. It turned out that she is a Hairy Blenny. She is a very nice fish. She seems to be the fastest learner in the tank.

 

[forddna]

So far it is sounding by most of your's experience that a LMB would be a safe bet. Any thoughts on the black comb tooth?


This is good info, thank you much. I suppose the time it will spend in quarantine will help get it accustomed the a new food source.

You can also wait for one that is eating prepared foods at your LFS.

 

[calhoun.22]

You can also wait for one that is eating prepared foods at your LFS.

Ahh, the common sence approach =) I would certainly go this route it a) it were not a 3 hour round trip, and b) my LFS had more selection or was likely to have anything other than the most common fish.

 

[moondoggy4]

My Blackfin/Black Combtooth not exactly which one I have only ate off the rocks and the glass never ate prepared food. Then one day years later he started eating dry food and flakes. I would get a African Midas Bleeny.

 

[forddna]

Ahh, the common sence approach =) I would certainly go this route it a) it were not a 3 hour round trip, and b) my LFS had more selection or was likely to have anything other than the most common fish.

Ahh..that sucks. Maybe another vendor that ships? I moved from Tampa to Tennessee and still "shop" with my LFS from back home. I do believe they ship live goods. I could point you towards them. They try to get the pickier eaters transitioned to prepared foods before selling. They would definitely tell you whether their fish is or isn't eating prepared foods.