Which Blenny?

[didz04]

Hi
Which blenny would be best or your personal choice to choose from. I would preferably like one with nice colour and personality. I have been thinking between a bi-colour or midas blenny but which one would you choose and why? I'm looking for one that is normally a constant swimmer.

Thanks

 

[Kyryah]

My favorite is the Starry blenny by far. My mother has one and he is an absolute hoot. I love watching him "graze" on the front panel of the aquarium. He is very brave and active and has a ton of personality.

 

[aleonn]

I love both of my blennies, the starry as well as Midas. My starry blenny is quite active, hopping from rock to rock and grazing on glass and rocks. He's small but is never pushed around by larger fish. The starry blenny does not have a swim bladder so he doesn't "swim" but has a ton of personality. My midas blenny swims (with an eel-like motion) whenever he sees me in the room. He has a funny hiding spot that he retreats to (I drilled a rock to fit in 1/2" PVC, which he considers his home). He's not intimidated by larger fish. Both of my blennies eat everything--Nori, NLS pellets, mysis, flakes.

 

[jlanger]

Having owned a few different blennies over the years, my all-time favorite is the Tail-spot blenny (E. stigmatura).

The Tail-spot blenny has the docile nature that comes with most escenius sp. blennies. It doesn't bother any of the other fish or corals, almost as if it doesn't know they all exist.
Their coloration is a bit eccentric; if not just goofy when you look at their faces.
But the biggest appeal, for me, is their personality. As soon as it sees you coming, it's like a dog know that you're going to go out and play catch.
Overall, a very good blenny.

I do like the starry blenny, but the one we had grew very territorial and killed two additions to the tank before it was returned to the store. So just be aware if you add one of them to your display.

-JASON

 

[Reefing Newbie]

I haven't gotten my blenny yet, but I am going to be getting a Tribal Blenny(Ecsenius spp.). I decided on this one because I liked the patterning on the face. Some come with a royal blue body which looks really interesting, in my opinion.

 

[EllieSuz]

Get a Starry. Mine gets along just great with all the fish...not a mean bone in his charming little body. Have a look at this face:

 

[btkrausen]

Tail Spot is my favorite, but I just ordered a Scarface blenny and should be getting it next week. Can't wait to see how, if any, different his personality is compared to a tail spot.

 

[jhentr]

Always had lawn mower and they are awesome blennies but not as colorful as the rest. I recently tried a bi-color blenny and he his great and always out and about. He'll swim into the open to catch drifting pellets and flakes etc.

Only thing is that his coloration and patterned changed from a vertical half orange/half black to a top half orange/half black with a the whole bottom silver. Not sure if you catch the description, it makes him more of a tri-color blenny than a bi-color blenny now.

 

[didz04]

Thanks guys some variety in blennies there a few Ive never heard of. I'm looking for something with a bit of character also from the looks, and the Starry blenny has that funny look also would stand out from the rest. The tail-spot looks really nice especially the purple/green colouring it gets under its mouth. After reading and seeing so many pics on blenny's I feel like keeping a blenny only tank now! Blennys are definitely one of the most interesting fish. Reading the posts above I think I might try out the two mentioned together.

Thanks again guys you have been really helpful, I'll be making up my final fish list and hopefully get some good feedback from it.

 

[NatureNerd]

Tail Spot is my favorite...

Mine too. See my avatar. One of my all time favorite fish.

 

[small alien]

+3 on the tailspot. I love the look of e starry but I've read they're more aggressive.

 

[jeffesaurusrex]

My only experience is with a lawnmower blenny. They are very entertaining guys, they swim like an eel and perch on rocks. Sometimes mine actively goes after food and sometimes he perches on the highest rock and waits for food to float to him. He pecks on rocks really hard, and he does way more damage to the nori than the tang does. He hides in little caves, but he is extremely brave... He won't swim away from my hand unless I touch him.

They're also hardy in my experience, or at least mine is. Mine survived two moves within a few days - the first was when I bought my new tank, he survived an hour and a half drive in a cool whip container in a truck with no a/c in 95 degree weather. Then a week or so later I transferred him to the new tank. Not to mention, the guy I bought the tank off of didn't even know you were supposed to change water. The sand was nasty, halimeda had overtaken the tank, the water stunk like dead plants... So he's a real trooper.

 

[btkrausen]

Here is the one I had:

 

[johnbort2]

Im thinking about getting a Starry Blenny for my first fish in the tank. My tank has just completed cycling...would these be ok with prepared foods in a newer tank? I read the need to be in an established tank, but sounds like they will eat well. Please advise.

 

[iheartJMS]

I am also interested in the above question ^^^

 

[xxtriggermanxx]

if you're looking for a fish that will swim rather than sit , try the fangtooth blenny family .

 

[SDguy]

Love my midas blenny.

 

[EllieSuz]

I would be carefully about making any kind of Blenny the first fish. New tank syndrome can make the first few fish difficult to keep alive, even though you think your cycle is finished. I recommend waiting awhile before adding fish. Do you have your clean up crew yet?

 

[didz04]

Some really stunning fish especially this one I can see the goofy look jlanger was talking about. lol

I'm far from an expert and first time i'll be keeping a blenny, but I have seen quite a few tank threads with people stocking in a blenny as there second fish or after a pair of clownfish and they've done totally fine. After adding your clean up crew I would wait around a week or 2 and then add a hardy fish like a pair of clowns which are peaceful attractive fish, some try damselfish but can not the best idea as they are semi-aggressive.

 

[didz04]

if you're looking for a fish that will swim rather than sit , try the fangtooth blenny family .

Thats a nice species, don't they give a poisonous bite as I'm concerned as i get a lot of young relatives that come down and always opening the hood flap. I always warn them not to and try scaring them with something might leap out and bite you lol :lolspin: but when I'm away I'll have no control of that.