Red Sea mimic Blenny?

[Jeremy Blaze]

Looking for any experencies on this fish.

Red Sea Mimic Blenny. Ecsenius gravieri.

This fish has been on my wanted list for about 2 years. The lfs finally got one in, and I purchesed him. Have him in quarintine now.

If you have kept this fish, please share your thoughts. I had planned on adding it to my reef, but I am not so sure I want to.

I know many of the blennies, such as bicolors, are known to nip at sps corals and clams, Scott Michael says this one may as well.
Trying to decide if it is worth the risk.

 

[Jeremy Blaze]

No one has kept this fish?

 

[Jeremy Blaze]

ANyone?

 

[Amphiprion]

Being one of the Ecsenius, it is primarily going to eat filamentous algae and probably some of the detritus and fauna often associated with it. I would consider it a potential threat (like E. bicolor), as I would most of the Ecsenius. They can be indiscriminate sometimes as to what they begin to rasp.

 

[BlueNWhite]

If anyone can confirm whether I have this very species, I will let you know of my experience with this fish.

Here he is:

 

[Amphiprion]

You have Meiacanthus atrodorsalis, the "forktail" blenny. These are part of a subgroup known as fang blennies. They possess a pair of venomous "fangs" if you will, primarily used in defense. They make good subjects, provided that they get enough to eat. They need lots of small organisms that grow on live rock, as well as ample amounts of the usual "planktonic" fare, such as chopped mysis, cyclopeeze, etc. They are also prone to jumping if frightened.

 

[BlueNWhite]

I was afraid that might be the case. Perhaps I will sell him then. Anybody interested? I've had him for over a month now, and he looks pretty healthy. He's not shy, but he doesn't seem to bother any of my other fish.

He should be easy to catch though, since he always sleeps in the top corner of the tank. He literally pastes himself to the corner or at the top of the overflow box.

Thanks.

 

[Amphiprion]

Why do you want to get rid of it?

 

[BlueNWhite]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7131132#post7131132 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Amphiprion
Why do you want to get rid of it?

The only reason why I want to get rid of him is because I am giving my tank some time to build up a healthy supply of pods so that I could eventually get a Mandarin. I'm afraid that having too many fish that eat pods will not work out in the long term. Would you agree, or do they each eat different types of 'bugs'?

Thanks.

 

[Amphiprion]

Ah, OK. Yes I would agree--one or both fishes would starve.

 

[Jeremy Blaze]

Anyone else kept this fish?

 

[karid]

That fish is on my wish list - I love it. From my research, it is a good fish, gets along fine with other peaceful fish, and eats well. It is really pretty. I know there are a few threads on this forum about that fish from when we were looking to get one. You can try a search on this forum late at night. I would search under the latin name (Meiacanthus atrodorsalis).

IMO, it would be fine with a mandarin in a 180g. That is a big tank. As long as it is established and has a good pod population, I think it would be fine. People have successfully kept 2 mandarins in a smaller tank.

 

[Jeremy Blaze]

You are talking about the fang blenny, at least that is what Meiacanthus atrodorsalis is.

I am talking about the mimic blenny, Ecsenius gravieri , that actually mimics the fang blenny.

 

[karid]

Oops - sorry. I got mixed up with BlueNWhite's post.

 

[No Worries1979]

I purchased a fang-blenny thinking it was a bi-color and the little guy would hide in the rock. The very second any other fish would swim buy, the fang jumped out and nipped them and immediately retreated back into the rock. He was a mean little guy. My 2 cents, as far as other blennies, I don't know.

 

[BlueNWhite]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7168708#post7168708 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by No Worries1979
I purchased a fang-blenny thinking it was a bi-color and the little guy would hide in the rock. The very second any other fish would swim buy, the fang jumped out and nipped them and immediately retreated back into the rock. He was a mean little guy. My 2 cents, as far as other blennies, I don't know.

I guess this is one of those individual characteristics thing because mine didn't bother anyone else. In fact, my Midas Blennie even chased it one time and it never fought back.

 

[emperior911]

i'll take it off your hand bluenwhite

 

[BlueNWhite]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7169970#post7169970 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by emperior911
i'll take it off your hand bluenwhite

When I posted it for sale for all of $10 CDN, I got a bundle of offers and very anxious buyers. So one of them picked it up quite quickly. Sorry.