Tailspot blenny care

Quick reference

What is a tailspot blenny?

Ecsenius stigmatura is a coral blenny of the Philippines and Indonesia, living alone or in small groups in coastal lagoons and sheltered reefs at 2–30 m.^[3] In the aquarium it perches on rock, grazes algae off the rock and glass, and ducks into a hole when disturbed, much like its better-known relative the bicolor blenny.^{[4, 1]} Quality Marine notes it is rarely seen in the trade.^[2]

Feeding

It grazes algae from the glass and rock,^[4] and LiveAquaria says its diet should include vegetable matter: frozen and dried foods containing marine and blue-green algae.^[1] Quality Marine adds that it takes flake and live foods, and to supplement with algae-based foods when the tank's algae runs short.^[2] Owners on Meerwasser-Lexikon report it accepting mysis and small frozen foods too.^[4]

Aggression and spacing

Peaceful toward most fish,^{[1, 2]} but Quality Marine says blennies can turn aggressive toward fish with a similar body shape, so avoid a second Ecsenius or a similar blenny in a small tank.^[2] It's more often the victim: LiveAquaria warns aggressive tankmates may intimidate it into hiding, and a Meerwasser-Lexikon owner reports a pair of longnose hawkfish chasing one into the rock.^{[1, 4]}

Tankmates

Listed as reef compatible by LiveAquaria, and Meerwasser-Lexikon calls it a reef-safe blenny that won't harm SPS or LPS corals.^{[1, 4]} One owner there, though, reports it repeatedly plucking at the polyps of an Alveopora and a Blastomussa, possibly to clear a perch, while another never saw it touch a coral.^[4] Watch it around large-polyp corals near its favourite perch.

Disease and quarantine

We found no disease information specific to the tailspot blenny. General marine fish guidance applies: CORAL Magazine recommends quarantining every incoming fish, captive-bred included, for at least 2–4 weeks, and UF/IFAS advises 3–6 weeks at 24–27 °C, longer when ich is suspected.^{[5, 6]} Quality Marine says it jumps, so use a tight-fitting lid, and advises adding blennies to established tanks with rock to graze.^[2]

Breeding

FishBase records distinct pairing, with adhesive eggs attached to the substrate.^[3] Meerwasser-Lexikon says breeding is possible but captive-bred fish are scarce in the trade.^[4]

Troubleshooting

Common mistakes

• •Adding it to a brand-new, algae-free tank.^[2]
• •Feeding only meaty foods.^[1]
• •Keeping it with a similar-shaped blenny.^[2]
• •Leaving the tank uncovered.^[2]

Equipment & food for this species

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Frozen mysis is a good staple and quality pellets cover daily feeding. Many keepers soak food in a vitamin supplement such as Selcon.

Tailspot blenny FAQ

Is a tailspot blenny reef safe?

Generally yes: LiveAquaria lists it as reef compatible.^[1] A few owners report it plucking at large-polyp corals near its perch.^[4]

What size tank does a tailspot blenny need?

LiveAquaria and Quality Marine say 10 gallons with plenty of live rock; Meerwasser-Lexikon recommends 200 L (about 53 gallons).^{[1, 2, 4]}

What do tailspot blennies eat?

Mainly algae: LiveAquaria recommends frozen and dried foods containing marine and blue-green algae.^[1] They also take flake, mysis and small frozen foods.^{[2, 4]}

How big do tailspot blennies get?

FishBase gives 6 cm (2.4 in) total length.^[3]

Do tailspot blennies jump?

Yes; Quality Marine advises a tight-fitting lid.^[2]