Let's Talk About Blennies

[Reef Frog]

PTailspot Blenny (TSB)
After a major tank maintenence, my TSB vanished after 3+ happy years of ownership. I want another but have a major question. I saw on LA they were listed as a herbivore - I thought they were omnivores.

I feed the tank frozen planktonic sized foods like cyclopseeze, oyster eggs, dehydrated zooplankton, RN Arctic Krill, live brine, & mysis. Like other fish he was excited at feeding time and seemed to eat what I offered, pecking at the smallest items or so it seemed.

But he was NEVER fed green food intentionally like algae flakes, pellets or nori. Was that a mistake? Was he subsisting on what grew in the tank? I never saw him obviously munching on a strand of algae, but on occasion I did see him peck briefly at a rock or the glass - was that when he was eating algae? I didn't see him do it all that much, I thought maybe he was picking at the occasional pod. I run GFO and algae is "under control" but I do have small patches of GHA, bubble, bottle brush along with the normal stuff you find on live rock?

So was that enough to satisfy this fishes' needs for plant material? What kinds of wild algae do they eat? Should I have been feeding prepared herbivore foods like flake, dehydrated micro algae, small pellets or nori? I'd like to hear from long term TSB owners and hear what you're doing to keep this fish fed properly? Also, how long have you kept a TSB alive?

Canary Blenny
Thinking about adding this to my lightly stocked 65g. No aggressive tank mates, rated by LA as OK in 30 gallons so it seems a good choice. But LA lists it as semi aggressive, books I have say "peaceful." So which is it?

LA says it's an "Omnivore". So do I need to feed it prepared algae rations or will it graze? Are these hardy long lived fish? What is the chance of getting bit? The LA description warns to keep children's' hands out of the water because they can be mistaken for food (?!). What about big kids like me. It apparently has venom in its fangs. Is that something to be concerned about while I'm zapping an aptasia or mounting a coral to the rock work for instance?

Is this fish a swimmer or a percher? Will they be out front most of the time, or is this a shy fish? Any chance he'll harass a Tailspot Blennie - would mixing them be a bad move? It would be great if someone could describe what it's like keeping this fish.

Thanks for reading through this pile of questions. I'm looking forward to hearing about your experiences.

 

[Shawn O]

From my understanding, not actual experience, is that they bite when being swallowed by larger fish. You shouldn't ever have to worry about being poisoned.

 

[Greybeard]

I have an ORA Smith's blenny, I'd say it's quite similar to the canary, both are fang toothed blennies... he's quite peaceful, and a great addition to my 60g cube. Omnivore... eats about anything I put in the tank. According to ORA, they should be fed several times a day, which I do. Seems like he's always hungry.

 

[jgoodrich71]

The tailspot I would describe as more of a herbivore. The need plant matter as a significant proportion of their diet. I would feed flake, pellet and nori to mine. He would also eat meaty foods.

Any of the Meiacanthus sp. I would describe as more of a planktivore. They generally prefer meaty foods.

Both blennies are peaceful, but mixing blennies in the same tank may be a problem. It is hit or miss.

 

[pstank1]

I've had my tailspot for about 3 years or so now. I feed Hakari spirulina mysis at least once a day and he goes crazy for it. He also picks on the rocks and glass throughout the day. Doesn't seem to be as crazy about some of the other foods I put in.

 

[running scott]

At three years, your tail spot Benny was pretty old. I have never heard anyone having one more than five years, and who knows how old it was when you got it? I have had smiths, tailspots, and Midas blennies all in the same tank at the same time. All great fish, just have to ready to be upset when they die every three or four years.

 

[Reef Frog]

Thanks for the reponses. Anybody else?

In thinking about doing both, Tailspot first. Hopefully with the differences in body shape, size & color they can coexist.

Is the Canary or ORA Smith Fang Blenny an open water swimmer or does it tend to perch? Is it shy or out front usually? I'm hoping to see it a lot as this is to be my "big fish" in my 65.

I have no herbivores or omnivores so have never fed any algae based foods to saltwater fish. I guess I'll experiment while they're in QT.

 

[McPuff]

Thanks for posting. I have always loved the tailspot and a few other small blennies. I was also wondering if more than 1 would be ok in my 120 (4x2x2'). I would assume so but you never know with these little guys. And I also wonder if they would just get lost in that tank. There should be plenty of places to hide as many of the rocks have holes they can colonize. So maybe it would work...