Algae Blenny

Description

Algae Blenny, Salarias fasciatus, also go by the name Jewelled Blenny. Blennies are very popular thanks to their charisma and relatively small size. They are ideal for someone looking for personality in their marine tank.

Algae Blenny, Salarias fasciatus, Ecology:

These fish occur alone in the Indo Pacific, around: Australia, New Caledonia, Ryukyu islands, Africa, Samoa and in the Red Sea. They live mainly in shallow areas. Such as intertidal zones, estuaries and lagoons, but they can also occur on seaward reefs. Algae Blennies are facultative air-breathers, so they can extract oxygen from the air when it is no longer efficient to breath in water. This will allow them to access areas that would be out of bounds for others that do not share the same ability.

As the name may suggest, these Blennies feed on algae that they scrape off hard surfaces. This could make them useful in marine aquariums. Please give us a call if you have any questions on this matter.

Algae blennies form distinct pairs when breeding. Their eggs are adhesive and attached to the substrate. When the larvae emerge, they drift away and are more often found coastally. 

Jewelled Blennies in the Aquarium:

It is important to have plenty of nooks or crannies where your blenny can explore and feel at home. Keepers may want to invest in a jump guard to prevent accidents.

Algae blennies are omnivores so do best when fed a varied diet. They will accept frozen Mysis shrimp and enriched frozen brine shrimp. We enrich all our frozen food with seachem garlic guard and Atvitol vitamins. These are great for keeping fish healthy by providing them with the nutrition otherwise lost in frozen food. In doing so, these additives support their immune system and increase longevity.

They will accept live foods, such as copepods and amphipods, that can be cultivated in attached refugium. Over time they will accept high-quality pellet or flake. We adapt all our Blennies to aquarium life before they leave us. We focus on their health, and most are eating a good quality frozen food or flake, such as JBL Maris, before being offered for sale.

Algae blennies can live alone. It is possible for some blennies to live along side others as well. Sometimes even in same species groups. Success depends on a fair number of variables. For example, factors to consider include: the species of blenny, tank size, space and cover available. Please give us a call if you want to know more.

The Fish pictured here are representative only and the livestock you receive may vary in pattern, coloration, and shape.