Care Level: Easy

Temperament: Peaceful

Reef Compatible: Yes

General Description: The Pictus Blenny, also referred to as the White Lined Blenny, is found in the Indo-Pacific. Infrequent to the aquarium trade, this dazzling and timid little blenny from Ecsenius makes an excellent addition into a nano or standard reef aquarium to help control nuisance algae growth. Their specialized comb-like teeth help to scrape such matter off of surfaces, which make up a large portion of their diet. The Pictus blenny has a typical blenny shape, with an overall gray body decorated in white dots and dashes that transitions to a yellow tail with reddish markings. Blennies are extremely personable and fun to watch as they “hop”, perch, and back intos holes around the aquarium. This behavior is due to their lack of a swim bladder that would otherwise enable them to continually swim in the water column like many of their tank-mates. Only one Pictus blenny, or even Ecsenius species altogether, should be kept per aquarium as they can quarrel. An adult Pictus blenny can reach a size of approximately 2″.

Diet Requirements: The Pictus blenny is herbivorous. A diet consisting of high quality, vitamin enriched frozen preparations is absolutely necessary to maintain optimal health, coloration, and immune function. Such foods can include, but are not limited to, brine shrimp, calanus, and rotifers. Frozen food mixes that contain algae such as Spirulina or Chlorella are preferred. We highly encourage soaking frozen foods in vitamin and fatty acid supplements. A Pictus blenny may accept high quality algae sheets, or vegetable flake and pellet foods.

Care Requirements: An established minimum 15 gallon aquarium is ideal to house a Pictus blenny. Blennies enjoy a variety of rock work and crevices to take refuge in or on; these fish lack swim bladders and therefore “hop” around the aquascape. This blenny would not do well in a biologically immature aquarium because of water chemistry sensitivites, in addition to the presence of insufficient algaes for it to forage on. Do not house a Pictus blenny with overly aggressive and pugnacious tank-mates. Pictus blennies will almost entirely ignore most other fish, though territorial behavior could be exhibited toward a fish of similar body shape or dietary niche. This blenny would feel right at home in a reef setting, and poses no threat to corals or invertebrates. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.

Purchase Size: Medium: 1-1/4″ to 1-3/4″; Large: 2″

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.