Tiger Blenny

Overview

The Tiger Blenny is a small, attractively patterned combtooth blenny with fine dark striping across a pale-to-orange body, making it a popular choice for nano and small reef tanks. It spends most of its time grazing algae film off rock and glass, similar to other Ecsenius blennies.

Its compact size, calm nature, and full reef safety make it an easy, low-maintenance addition to a wide range of tank sizes, and it rarely causes any issues with tankmates or reef inhabitants.

As with other algae-grazing blennies, it does best in an established tank with natural algae growth already present, though it will readily take supplemental foods when needed.

Compatibility

Tiger Blennies are peaceful and reef safe, leaving corals, clams, and invertebrates alone. They can show mild territoriality toward other blennies of similar shape and colour in smaller tanks, but generally cause no problems with the wider reef community.

Health & quarantine

This species relies on natural algae growth for a good portion of its diet, so tanks with limited algae need consistent supplemental feeding to prevent gradual weight loss. Quarantine of two to four weeks is recommended good practice, and as with all blennies, avoid copper-based treatments due to their lack of scales.