Barnacle Blenny

Description

Barnacle Blenny, Acanthemblemaria macrospilus, are brilliant fish. They have a gorgeous, red, brown and white mottled pattern. Blennies are very popular thanks to their charisma and relatively small size. They are ideal for someone looking for personality in their marine tank.

These fish belong to the Chaenopsidae family, which are collectively referred to as tube blennies. 

Barnacle Blenny Ecology:

These fish occur on reefs the Eastern Central Pacific, around: California, Mexico and the Revillagigedo Islands.

Barnacle Blennies, as the name may suggest, use empty barnacles as nests, which the males protect. They can also use tubes cast by mollusc or worms as homes.

Unlike most blennies, these fish feed on zooplankton suspended in the water column. They mostly eat crustacean but will take other larvae and eggs as well.

Acanthemblemaria macrospilus 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.

Barnacle Blennies are omnivores so do best when fed a varied diet. They will accept frozen Mysis shrimp and 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.

Barnacle 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.