Starry or Midas Blenny?

[schnebbles]

So, since I lost my sweet little midas, I'm either getting another one or a starry.

Which is better? I loved the midas.

40g breeder

 

[mcgyvr]

Starry blenny is what I would choose.. But its not my tank..

 

[Mike Ordner]

I have both and they are very different. The midas is up in the water column a lot more. The starry is usually perched somewhere and gets mad at me if I get in his territory. Even though they are both blennies, they do not compete for space in the tank. If I had to pick one, I would go with the starry because of its great personality.

 

[GimpyFin]

Tough decision... I've had once of each for a few years now and I'd be hard pressed to pick one over the other. The midas is very cool looking, but the starrys have hilarious personalities and amazing eyebrows.

 

[Str8linespeed]

I have a starry and I love the personality of that fish, reminds me so much of my Lab.

 

[Sk8r]

both are great. The starry DOES require film algae.

 

[schnebbles]

Film algae? I get brown algae on my rocks - is that good?

 

[GimpyFin]

I think everybody's experience will vary a little. Outside of seaweed on a clip, my starry never touched any film/hair/other algae for probably close to 3 years. He mainly ate whatever meaty I fed, pellets, and the seaweed clip. About 3-4 months ago, he randomly started combing little bits of hair algae off rocks and some of the buildup on the overflow/back glass too. He also curls up in the palm of my hand and tries to eat from it when I put it in the tank (Especially when I'm feeding pellets.) Did I mention they have hilarious personalities?

 

[crazycolt42]

I have both and they are very different. The midas is up in the water column a lot more. The starry is usually perched somewhere and gets mad at me if I get in his territory. Even though they are both blennies, they do not compete for space in the tank. If I had to pick one, I would go with the starry because of its great personality.

I am hoping to have both in my 150g. Sounds like you have had success keeping both. What size tank are they in? Sk8r - you mentioned they need film algae, so the Starry would not be a good choice to add in the tank early on unless I am having algae issues? Will they do OK with herbivore prep if not much algae is available?

 

[schnebbles]

I liked my midas but the starry is sounding neat.

 

[Str8linespeed]

I think everybody's experience will vary a little. Outside of seaweed on a clip, my starry never touched any film/hair/other algae for probably close to 3 years. He mainly ate whatever meaty I fed, pellets, and the seaweed clip. About 3-4 months ago, he randomly started combing little bits of hair algae off rocks and some of the buildup on the overflow/back glass too. He also curls up in the palm of my hand and tries to eat from it when I put it in the tank (Especially when I'm feeding pellets.) Did I mention they have hilarious personalities?

Mine also eats frozen Mysis with the rest of the fish at feeding time. It will also pick at different algae in the tank, but will not eat seaweed.

I swear if I spent enough time working with my Starry, I could have my own little Sea World show in my tank. I agree with GimpyFin, they have quite the personalities and like I said earlier reminds me of my Lab and how goofy she is.

 

[Mike Ordner]

I am hoping to have both in my 150g. Sounds like you have had success keeping both. What size tank are they in? Sk8r - you mentioned they need film algae, so the Starry would not be a good choice to add in the tank early on unless I am having algae issues? Will they do OK with herbivore prep if not much algae is available?

My tank is larger (around 450), but you would be fine with both in a 150. Mine eats frozen and pellets and grazes on film algae, so you might want to wait a little while if a brand new tank, but mine is not dependent on algae only.

 

[scooter31707]

IMO, I think it depends on what you want it for? Do you have any tangs in the tank? I have had bad experiences with Kole/Tomini/Bristletooth tangs going at my starry and lawnmower blennies. They didn't mess with the Midas. I like both. If you have a lot of algae eaters, I would choose the Midas.

 

[crazycolt42]

My tank is larger (around 450), but you would be fine with both in a 150. Mine eats frozen and pellets and grazes on film algae, so you might want to wait a little while if a brand new tank, but mine is not dependent on algae only.

Thanks Mike!