🐠 Choosing & Caring for Blenny Fish: Vet Guide 2025 🩺

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc – Blennies are charismatic, hardy, and reef-safe fish that enrich marine tanks with personality and algae control. This vet-approved 2025 guide covers selection, setup, diet, behavior, health, and enrichment—ensuring your blenny thrives.

📌 Why Blennies Shine in Marine Tanks

• **Hardy & adaptable:** Suitable for new and experienced hobbyists; can tolerate varying water quality :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
• **Reef-safe algae grazers:** Species like the Lawnmower and Molly Miller blenny help control nuisance algae in reef systems :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
• **Interesting behavior:** Rock perching, burrowing, and bold personalities make them aquarium favorites.
• **Compact size & space-efficient:** Typically 2–6″ long, fitting into 20–30 gal tanks :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.

🐚 Choosing a Blenny

Consider species traits, aquarium compatibility, and your setup:

1. Temperament & Aggression

• Combtooth blennies (e.g., Midas, Bicolor, Seaweed) are peaceful and reef safe :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
• Territorial species like Redlip or Fang blennies may guard crevices—keep single or paired in larger tanks :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.

2. Dietary Preferences

• Herbivores/grazers (e.g., Lawnmower, Seaweed blennies) eat algae—ideal cleanup crew :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• Omnivores like Molly Miller enjoy algae but also accept frozen or pellet foods :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.

3. Tank Size & Environment

• Minimum 20–30 gal with rockwork, caves, and hiding spots for territory :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
• Secure lid essential—blennies are known to jump when startled :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.

4. Reef Compatibility

• Combtooth, lawnmower, and Molly Miller blennies are reef safe.
• Avoid species known to nip at coral or small inverts.

🛠️ Tank Setup Essentials

• **Rock caves & holes:** Allow blennies to perch, burrow, and feel secure :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
• **Moderate flow:** Emulates natural environment without stressing them.
• **Live rock and algae surfaces:** Provide grazing areas for herbivorous species :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
• **Water parameters:** Stable marine conditions—specific gravity 1.020–1.025, temperature 72–78 °F, pH 8.1–8.4 :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.

🍽️ Diet & Feeding

• **Herbivorous blennies:** Feed Nori, algae wafers, spirulina; supplement with marine pellet foods :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
• **Omnivores (Molly Miller):** Include frozen foods and pellets alongside algae grazing :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.
• **Feeding routine:** 1–2 times daily, small amounts fish can consume in 1–2 minutes :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
• **Enrichment:** Offer variety and grazing options to encourage natural foraging behavior.

🤝 Behavior & Compatibility

• **Territorial behavior:** Species like Redlip and Fang blennies defend rock crevices—avoid stocking multiple similar species :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.
• **Tankmates:** Choose peaceful fish such as gobies, clownfish, wrasses; avoid aggressive species that may outcompete blennies.
• **Jumping risk:** Secure all lids to prevent escape during stressful events or feeding.

🧬 Health & Care Guidelines

• **Water quality:** Maintain pristine conditions—ammonia/nitrite 0 ppm, nitrate <20 ppm.
• **Disease prevention:** Quarantine new additions; treat promptly for ich or velvet :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.
• **Routine observation:** Look for appetite, coloration, skin health, and activity level.
• **Common issues:** Fin damage, parasites—treat with reef-safe medications in QA tank.

✅ Vet-Approved Tips for 2025

• **Select suitable species** based on behavior and diet compatibility.
• **Habitat matters:** Provide live rock, caves, stable marine conditions, and secure cover.
• **Balanced feeding:** Match diet to species type; vary foods for optimal health.
• **Monitor territory:** Avoid conflict by limiting same-species blennies unless pairing.
• **Health monitoring:** Use photo/video monitoring through Ask A Vet app for expert support.
• **Reef-safe precautions:** Only use species confirmed reef safe for reef tanks.

🔗 About Ask A Vet Support

The Ask A Vet app connects you to aquatic veterinarians 24/7. Share images of blenny behavior, water parameters, tank setup, or health changes and receive real-time guidance—dosing, diet adjustment, disease management, and habitat optimization. AquaCare offers reef-safe supplements, vet-formulated pellets including algae wafers, and water conditioners tailored for marine setups. Download now to support your blenny’s health and vitality in 2025! 🐠📱💙