Tailspot Blenny

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Easy   • Temperament: Peaceful   • Maximum Size: 3"
• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons   • Water Conditions: 72-80° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
• Diet: Herbivore   • Origin: Indo-Pacific
• Family: Blenniidae   • Species: Blennies   • Aquarium Type: Reef Compatible

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The Tailspot Blenny is a colorful species that has a comical personality and a unique appearance. Tailspot Blennies are among the smallest blennies within the hobby and they are generally found hiding and perching among coral when not grazing on marine algae along the reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific. The Tailspot Blenny has bushy cirri (whisker-like appendages) protruding from between the eyes and are also equipped with specialized, combed teeth to assist with their marine algae consumption.

Tailspot Blennies are easily identifiable by the white blotch with a black spot at the base of their caudal fin in addition to the thin, dark blue, white to yellow, and orange, horizontal stripes that run from just below the eye to the rear operculum (on each side); they also tend to have blue hues on the face, head, and neck, while their base color is a tan to orange that generally intensifies towards their caudal section.

Tailspot Blennies are an inquisitive species that will get along well with other tank mates that do not have a similar appearance, but they will not get along well with conspecifics unless they are a mated pair. Tailspot Blennies are an adorable species and have become quite popular within the hobby; they are easy to care for, but they should be housed in an established system that contains marine algae for them to graze upon. They are readily available and can be purchased through online vendors as well as local retailers.

The Tailspot Blenny requires an established aquarium of at least 20 gallons and prefers a sand substrate in addition to an adequate amount of live rock for grazing, hiding, and perching. Many blenny species are known to be jumpers and as a precaution the aquarium should be equipped with a hood or sealed top to prevent escape or injury. As a small species, they have a minimal biological load on the system and do not have any special filtration requirements above standard biological and mechanical needs, although they do prefer stable water conditions and a protein skimmer is always a welcome addition to a system.

They are a peaceful species that will generally keep to themselves, although they love to find a nice spot to perch and watch what's going on in the aquarium. They will coexist with many different heterospecific tank mates as long as they do not have a similar appearance or are an overly aggressive species they may harass them. They should not be housed conspecifically unless as a mated pair. Tailspot Blennies are great for "nano" aquariums and reef systems, although some individuals have been reported to occasionally nip at coral polyps and clam mantles.

Tailspot Blennies are herbivores that prefer to graze upon various types of marine algae in the wild. In the aquarium they will naturally graze on existing marine algae, but should also be provided with a wide variety of live and prepared marine algae, vegetable matter, and Spirulina-based flake and pellets foods (treated with Selcon for additional benefits) as well as other prepared foods for omnivores and herbivores. Feed twice per day, but only what they will consume in a few minutes.