{"product_id":"algae-blenny","title":"Algae Blenny | Salarias fasciatus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA peaceful, characterful little reef fish, the Algae Blenny (also called the Lawnmower Blenny) spends its day perching on the rocks and grazing film algae. It is one of the most useful and endearing fish for a mature reef, best kept where there is plenty of live rock and natural algae to graze.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the wild, the Algae Blenny is associated with shallow Indo-Pacific reef flats, lagoons and rubble zones rich in algae growth. It spends much of its time perched on rock and coral, hopping between surfaces as it grazes on algae films and detritus. Replicating this in the aquarium means providing a mature system with plenty of live rock, established algae films and secure perches and crevices for shelter. A bare or newly set-up tank is rarely ideal, as this fish relies on natural grazing surfaces and does best once the system has matured.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Algae Blenny has a mottled brown, green and cream body that provides excellent camouflage against rock, along with the large expressive eyes and comb-like teeth typical of the genus. It reaches around 13 cm and has the tapering, perch-and-hop body shape suited to life on the rockwork rather than open-water swimming. Colour and pattern can shift slightly with mood and background. Healthy specimens should appear alert, well-filled through the body and grazing actively, without a pinched or sunken belly, which is a common sign of a fish that is not getting enough to eat.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is best described as peaceful. The Algae Blenny is a good community fish and is safe with corals and ornamental invertebrates. It can, however, be territorial towards other blennies, gobies or fish of similar shape and feeding habits, particularly in smaller aquariums. Suitable companions include clownfish, chromis, cardinalfish, gobies of different form, wrasses and other peaceful reef fish. Keep only one Algae Blenny per tank unless the system is large, and avoid combining it with other bottom-perching grazers that compete for the same niche.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeeding centres on algae. The Algae Blenny grazes film and filamentous algae from rock and glass, and in a mature tank much of its diet is supplied naturally. Supplement with dried marine algae and nori on a clip, algae-based flakes and pellets, and occasional meaty foods such as mysis shrimp. It is important that the aquarium can supply enough algae, or that regular algae-based feeding is provided, as these fish can slowly starve in a very clean tank with little natural grazing. Watch body condition closely and increase feeding if the belly begins to look pinched.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor long-term success, provide a minimum aquarium size of 110 L, with 200 L or larger recommended for a more stable, algae-rich system. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. Moderate water movement is suitable. Lighting can be standard reef lighting, which also encourages the algae growth the fish depends on. Aquascaping should include mature live rock with plenty of grazing surface, caves and perches. Strong filtration, protein skimming and regular water changes of 10–20% are recommended. A well-fitted lid is useful, as blennies can occasionally jump. This species is fully reef safe and safe with ornamental invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding in the home aquarium is uncommon. Blennies are typically substrate spawners, with eggs laid in a crevice, shell or cave and guarded by the male. Spawning is sometimes observed in mature aquariums, but raising the larvae is difficult and requires very small live foods and dedicated rearing systems beyond normal home aquarium keeping. For most hobbyists the focus should be on long-term health, adequate algae-based feeding, low stress and suitable tank mates rather than attempting to breed this species.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalarias fasciatus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAlgae Blenny (Lawnmower Blenny)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShallow Indo-Pacific reef flats, lagoons and rubble zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e13 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–6 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (territorial to similar blennies)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEasy to intermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e110 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore; grazes algae, plus algae-based prepared foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature reef aquariums with natural algae growth\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include clownfish, chromis, cardinalfish, gobies of different body form, peaceful wrasses, dwarf angels and other calm reef fish, along with ornamental shrimp, snails and corals.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with other Algae Blennies in smaller tanks, other bottom-perching grazers that compete for the same food, and large or aggressive fish that may bully or prey on it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55304235516195,"sku":"BA9298","price":65.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55234133917987,"sku":"AA2404","price":65.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55234133950755,"sku":null,"price":85.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Algae_Blenny_Salarias_fasciatus_a519f25d-9a4e-4be4-934e-e5428e29e608.jpg?v=1781681146","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/algae-blenny","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}