{"product_id":"muzzled-blenny","title":"Muzzled Blenny | Omobranchus punctatus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Muzzled Blenny is a small, understated combtooth blenny with a quiet charm, spending its days perched on rock and darting into crevices. It is a hardy, adaptable little fish that suits nano and community reef systems. Adults reach around 9–10 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOmobranchus punctatus ranges widely through the Indo-West Pacific, from the Persian Gulf to Japan and eastern Australia, where it lives on shallow reef flats, rocky shores, estuaries and harbour walls. It is notably tolerant of variable conditions and can be found in slightly brackish water. In the aquarium it appreciates plenty of live rock with small holes and crevices to shelter and forage in, plus a mature system with natural algae and micro-fauna.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a plainly dressed blenny, generally olive to grey-brown with fine horizontal striping that is more pronounced in males, and no cirri or crest on the head. The blunt \"muzzled\" face gives the fish its common name. What it lacks in bright colour it makes up for in behaviour, constantly perching, hopping and inspecting its surroundings. Healthy specimens are alert, plump and quick to shelter when startled.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is peaceful. The Muzzled Blenny is a shy, non-aggressive fish that keeps to the rockwork and poses no threat to other tank residents. It can be timid around boisterous fish, so it does best with calm to moderately active tank mates. Keep one per tank unless the aquarium is large, as they can bicker with their own kind over prime perches.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis species is an omnivore, grazing on algae and biofilm while opportunistically taking small invertebrates. Offer a varied diet of frozen mysis and brine shrimp, marine algae and dried seaweed, plus quality omnivore pellets and flakes. A mature tank with natural algae film and pods gives it steady grazing between feeds. Feed small amounts once or twice daily.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of 75 L, with 100 L or larger recommended for a more stable, mature environment. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity 1.023–1.025; the species also tolerates slightly lower salinity. Moderate flow and abundant rockwork with small hiding holes suit it best. A secure lid is recommended, as small blennies can jump. Stable water and a well-established rockscape are the keys to long-term success.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMembers of this genus are demersal spawners that deposit eggs in crevices, shells or tubes, with the male guarding the clutch. Aquarium breeding is occasionally reported but rearing the tiny larvae requires a dedicated setup and very small live foods. For general keeping, provide secure crevices, stable conditions and consistent feeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmobranchus punctatus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMuzzled Blenny\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-West Pacific; Persian Gulf to Japan and eastern Australia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9–10 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful\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\u003e75 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore; marine algae, dried seaweed, mysis, brine shrimp and omnivore pellets\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\u003e1.023–1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNano, reef and community marine aquariums with calm tank mates\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes; safe with corals and larger invertebrates\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include clownfish, small gobies, cardinalfish, dwarf angels, peaceful wrasse, firefish and other calm reef fish. It is a good choice for peaceful nano and community reefs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with large aggressive fish, boisterous feeders that will outcompete it, predators large enough to eat it, and other Muzzled Blennies in smaller aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234148565283,"sku":"BA8798-S","price":30.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234148598051,"sku":"BA8798","price":35.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/muzzled-blenny-43090642305315.webp?v=1790306153","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/muzzled-blenny","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}