Starry Blenny, Carnivore?

[fraglerock]

I have a Starry Blenny that I've had for two weeks. I've only observed him eating Brine, Misys and other meaty foods. No grassing on algae, that I was hoping he would help me control.
Is this abnormal behavior?

Any input.

 

[BigAl2007]

Not really. Like many fish they have a very specific algae that they will eat and a LOT they wont eat. They love NORI but also eat (As you know) many meaty foods.

Your algae issue is better addressed at the source rather than addressing a symptom that causes algae.

 

[EllieSuz]

Mine eats everything, but he doesn't pick at the rock or glass. I feed a sheet of Nori daily and he's first in line.

 

[fraglerock]

I thought the Starry Blenny would be more like the Lawnmower Blenny.
My Lawnmower's I've had in the past would graze all day on glass, rocks and all ways have a full plump belly. I have lost one due to a power outage, one jumped ship and the last one disappeared mysteriously, It may have been stung and captured by a Tube Anemone that gets very large at night. The Lawnmower would hang out close to it a lot.

 

[EllieSuz]

The Lawnmower Blenny is much more vegetarian, whereas the Starry is an omnivore.

 

[BigAl2007]

The Lawnmower Blenny is much more vegetarian, whereas the Starry is an omnivore.

Which is why so many Lawn Mower Blennies literally starve to death in our tanks.

 

[fraglerock]

The Lawnmower Blenny is much more vegetarian, whereas the Starry is an omnivore.

Yes I see that is true. All the info online say as follows:

QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025, KH 8-12
Max. Size: 5½"
Color Form: White, Yellow
Diet: Herbivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Cebu
Family: Blenniidae

 

[aleonn]

Mine is an omnivore. He also beats all the tangs to the Nori clip, and makes everyone wait their turn haha.

 

[Moort82]

I think all Salarias blennies turn omnivore in tanks tbh. Why work hard eating lots and lots of algae when you have fast food added twice a day.

I also read the gut analysis of a lawn mower blenny and the author argued that they should be called detrivors rather than herbivors as detritus made up a much larger percentage of their diet. If you leave the front of the tank to get algaed up i bet it leaves you kisses, so its likely doing some cleaning just maybe not what you were hoping for.

 

[Khemul]

^ Yep.

A Lawnmower may just take a while to learn that there is more to life then algae. But once they do they will eat just about anything offered also.


I also wouldn't be surprised if detritus made up a large portion of their diet. Algae on rocks can collect quite a bit of detritus.

 

[rhdoug]

Mine eats anything I put in the tank, and grazes throughout the day on the rock, glass, power heads, etc. At first the grazing was minimal but once he was comfortable in the tank he began to do it more often. He definitely keeps the algae at bay, but it takes a while to see results.

 

[gr8birds]

starry blenny

starry blenny

Mine is a beast!! Very cool and lots of personality, but a total pig and jerk. I have a special feeding station for the mandarin so I don't have to chase it around and spot feed. So, now the speckled weenie has decided that he likes the feeding station and eats a good portion of the baby brine I put in for the mandarin. The blenny has a veggie clip with 1/2 sheet of algae, which he devours and the tank gets formula 2 flakes twice a day. He eats that as well. He also likes fingers, hands and anything else I put in there while adjusting corals or rock lol. Got him second hand, and I think I now know why!! I do love him though. He is very social and fun to watch. I am thinking of changing his name from Ralph, (my kid named it) to Glu-ton McPiggieface.