Striped Blenny

Striped Blenny - Bold Patterns and Algae Control

The Striped Blenny (also known as the Lined Blenny) is a striking and hardworking addition to any reef aquarium. With its distinctive horizontal stripes, expressive face, and excellent algae-grazing behavior, this personable blenny combines practical benefits with entertaining personality traits that make it a favorite among reef keepers.

Key Features:

• Bold Striped Pattern: Distinctive horizontal black and white or brown stripes running the length of the body
• Natural Algae Control: Constantly grazes on hair algae, film algae, and diatoms to help keep your tank clean
• Expressive Personality: Large eyes and quirky behavior make this fish endlessly entertaining to watch
• Reef Safe: Completely safe with all corals and invertebrates; peaceful temperament
• Hardy & Adaptable: Captive-bred for superior health and easy acclimation to aquarium life
• Beginner Friendly: Forgiving of water parameter fluctuations and easy to care for

Care Requirements:

Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons; 20+ gallons recommended
Diet: Herbivore/Omnivore - primarily grazes on algae but also accepts frozen mysis shrimp, spirulina, and herbivore pellets
Temperament: Peaceful; may be territorial with other blennies in smaller tanks
Reef Compatibility: Excellent - will not harm corals or invertebrates
Experience Level: Beginner to Advanced - suitable for all skill levels

Algae Control Benefits:

The Striped Blenny is an excellent member of your cleanup crew, spending much of its day methodically grazing on nuisance algae. It's particularly effective at controlling hair algae, film algae, and diatom blooms that commonly occur in newer tanks. While it won't solve severe algae problems on its own, it provides valuable natural control that reduces maintenance needs and helps keep your rockwork looking pristine.

Behavior & Personality:

Striped Blennies are curious, interactive, and full of personality. They often perch on rocks or coral branches, surveying their territory with large, expressive eyes. These fish are known for their comical expressions and quirky behavior—they may tilt their heads, dart quickly between perches, or even appear to "watch" you as you observe the tank. Many owners report that their Striped Blenny becomes one of their favorite fish to watch.

Tank Setup:

Provide plenty of live rock with caves, crevices, and perching spots where your Striped Blenny can establish territory. They'll claim a favorite area and spend most of their time there, making quick foraging trips to graze on algae before returning to their preferred perch. A secure lid is recommended, as blennies can jump if startled, especially during acclimation.

Feeding:

While Striped Blennies are excellent algae grazers, they should be supplemented with prepared foods to ensure complete nutrition. Offer herbivore pellets, frozen spirulina, mysis shrimp, and nori sheets clipped to the tank. A varied diet keeps them healthy, maintains vibrant coloration, and ensures they thrive even in tanks with limited natural algae growth.

Compatibility:

Striped Blennies are peaceful with most tank mates but may show territorial behavior toward other blennies or similarly shaped fish in smaller aquariums. They do well in community reef tanks with peaceful fish and can be kept with most invertebrates and corals without issue.

Our Striped Blennies are carefully selected, quarantined, and eating well before shipment. Each fish is backed by our live arrival guarantee, ensuring your new algae-eating companion arrives healthy and ready to bring both practical benefits and entertaining personality to your reef aquarium.