Starry Blenny seems to be breating hard...

[erinangele]

I have had a Starry Blenny for a week. He spends a lot of time laying around, and some time eating, which i think is pretty typical of these guys. I have TONS of hair algae in my tank that he has been doing a pretty good job of mowing down. His belly is nice and round. The only thing that concerns me is that when he is resting his mouth is usually open and he seems to be breathing hard. He has been doing this all along so maybe this is typical of this species? I read somewhere that those can be signs of starvation, but i would find that hard to believe since he is eating so much of the hair algae and has a round belly.

He is large, about 4 inches long and he is the only fish in the tank. 125 gallon, Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate under 10, Ph 8.0-8.2. Does he sound sick?

 

[AndroidReef]

Mine does that all the time he opens his mouth and looks like he's having troubles to breathe but I guess it's normal it been over 6 months since he's doing that and doesn't looks it affects him, he's really fat and is always active

 

[erinangele]

Okay, that's good to know! Thanks!

 

[rsjakp]

Mine does the same thing as well, I have had him a good 6 months as well.

 

[jscarlata]

Think how you feel when you eat so much your stomach bloats... I have a one spot(same family) and he's a gluttonous little guy. He's always fat as can be, even when I'm trying to keep feedings light he eats everything in sight!

 

[erinangele]

Think how you feel when you eat so much your stomach bloats... !

This is exactly how he/she looks!