Ember Blenny

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Easy   • Temperament: Peaceful   • Maximum Size: 5"
• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons   • Water Conditions: 72-80° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
• Diet: Omnivore   • Origin: Indo-West Pacific
• Family: Blenniidae   • Species: Blennies   • Aquarium Type: Reef Compatible

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Ember Blennies are an intelligent and inquisitive species with a base coloration that ranges from light tan to dark blue-green and generally have dark red to bright orange blotches and markings that cover their bodies; which is how they also earned their common nickname of the Red-streaked Blenny. Ember Blennies can be found among the tropical reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific, from the eastern coast of Africa, all the way out to Fiji and Hawaii.

Males of the species are generally larger than females. Ember Blennies have a pair of bushy cirri (whisker-like appendages) protruding from between the eyes and are equipped with adapted, combed teeth to help with their algae grazing tendencies.

Ember Blennies have a wonderful personality and are quite peaceful when kept with similar mannered tank mates. Although they are not aggressive, Ember Blennies should be housed individually as they do not prefer the company of conspecifics (unless paired or introduced at the same time as juveniles) or having to share their aquarium with fish of a similar appearance.

The Ember Blenny is an entertaining species to observe within their aquarium as they always like to find and settle on a comfortable perch while watching their environment to see what's going on; they can also be observed grazing among the live rock and substrate for algae and planktonic snacks. Ember Blennies are becoming increasingly more popular within the hobby; they are generally available through online vendors and can usually be special ordered from local retailers if not already on hand in the store.

The Ember Blenny requires a well established aquarium of at least 30 gallons and should be provided with a sand substrate as well as plenty of live rock for grazing, hiding, and perching. Many Blenny species are known to be jumpers and as a precaution their aquarium should be equipped with a hood or sealed top to prevent escape or injury.

As a larger species of Blenny, if they are housed in an aquarium of the minimum recommended volume, the Ember Blenny should be provided with a protein skimmer in addition to quality biological and mechanical filtration (they prefer stable water conditions as well as adequate water movement).

They are an inquisitive and peaceful species that will coexist well with a number of different tank mates, but they should not be kept with overly aggressive or territorial fish that will harass them into constant hiding. The Ember Blenny is an ideal species for a reef aquarium and they will assist with removing unwanted nuisance algae growth.

Some individuals have been reported to occasionally nip at coral polyps and clam mantles, but it's generally not an issue if they are well fed and have plenty of room for grazing.

Ember Blennies are omnivores that graze on various species of marine algae and seek out planktonic life within their natural habitat. In the aquarium they prefer to graze on existing marine algae and will search for amphipods and copepods. They should be provided a variety of live and prepared marine algae, vegetable matter, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, ghost shrimp, chopped krill, bloodworms, and Spirulina-based flake and pellets foods (treated with Selcon for additional nutrition) as well as other prepared foods for carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores. Feed twice per day, but only what they will consume in a few minutes.