Tribal Blenny

[Quiet Tempest]

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/4285/dsc0334k.jpg

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/8809/dsc0354c.jpg

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/2299/1220091630.jpg

I was wondering if any of you guys have had any experience with one of these guys? I think they're really cute and would love to have one but I've never seen one in any of my local stores and I've only seen a couple of websites advertising them.

How reef safe are they? One of the articles I read on them mentioned that they might nibble on SPS. I've never kept SPS before but am considering it for my 75g after I get the lighting situated.

[Quiet Tempest]

Additionally, I'm wondering if there is a reputable dealer online that has these on their stock list...?

[Sugar Magnolia]

Cute little fish. Apparently they are not shipped very often so they are hard to come by.

[BrokenSpoke]

Never ordered from Aquacon (http://www.aquacon.com/blennies_saltwaterfish.html?__utma=1.4878227.1271692078.1271692078.1271692078.1&__utmb=1.1.10.1271692078&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1271692078.1.1.utmcsr=aquacon.com|utmccn=(referral)|utmcmd=referral|utmcct=/blennies_saltwaterfish.html&__utmv=-&__utmk=244220805)but they have them in stock according to their website:

Description: Brand new for the aquarium trade, another interestingly marked algae blenny. This one is collected from the waters off of Sri Lanka. Unforgettable warpainted accents on a beautiful royal blue background make this a must have for the aquarist looking for unusual but easy to keep saltwater fish specimens. Combine the incredible markings on its face with its great personality and it becomes a must have.. The Tribal Blenny will add both visual appeal and a great algae control specimen to any marine aquarium its placed in. Totally peaceful, active and, fun to observe, like other Blennies, the Tribal Blenny will perch on live rock, hide in caves, hop across the substrate, and graze on algae.

Recommended Tank size: We recommend a minimum of 20 gallons with live rock, and it is best to house singly unless kept in a larger aquariums.
Feeding and Diet: Loves natural algae to feed on, the diet can be supplemented with vegetable matter, spirulina, and herbivore preparations.

Level of Care: Easy

Reef Compatibility:Very good reef or community fish.

Approximate Purchase Size: 2-1/4"

[BigCountryEsq]

Price?

[BrokenSpoke]

price?

$29.99

[bobby65]

keep us posted they look nice

[Quiet Tempest]

I first spotted them on AquaCon, but their Better Business Bureau rating is awful (F) so I want to find someone else that has them.

[BrokenSpoke]

I first spotted them on AquaCon, but their Better Business Bureau rating is awful (F) so I want to find someone else that has them.

Ouch, that is good to know. I found another company called The Reef Spot (http://www.thereefspot.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=384&category_id=23&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=100001&vmcchk=1&Itemid=100001) who have them in stock. Never ordered from them either.

[Quiet Tempest]

Thanks for the heads up! I followed the link but don't see them listed there. Maybe I got there too late. I'll see about contacting them and finding out if they can get them in regularly and check on their pricing.

[joejoe1055]

nice looking fish

[Lannyrx7]

awesome looking fish. Seems similar to a lawnmower or a starry blenny. I'm sure the daily activities are probably similar too.

[ricde]

Looks similar to a black combtooth (Ecsenius namiyei) I had one for about three years. It never took any food and would only graze on the rock.

The patterns on my fishes head (though similar to your pics) would fade to a solid black overall when the blenny wasn't stressed

[Quiet Tempest]

Do any of you have any thoughts on how to sex these guys? I've gotten in contact with a few suppliers who said they'd try to find them for me but no one has been able to tell me how to differentiate males from females among them.

[Quiet Tempest]

My nearest LFS is going to be able to special order one of these for me. I'll pick it up on Wednesday. I'll be sure to get pics and list anything interesting about its behavior once I have it. :twitch:

[Ret_Talbot]

Blue Zoo Aquatics has them available now. They are the BZA "new species of the week" this week. I'd love to know more. I think I may get one to write observe for an article.

[Quiet Tempest]

Mark at Blue Zoo emailed me to let me know they had gotten them in but I'd already gotten one through my LFS by then.

http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/2982/29270422264156083532716.jpg

My camera skills are lacking, but I love this guy/girl. Full of personality and constantly on the go. I just wish I knew how to tell male from female because I'd love to try keeping a pair of them.

[mthomp]

yeah i got one from my LFS about 2 months ago, it is one of the 2 fish i own. got it for a steal under 20 bucks.

deffinatly likes its own space. if a crab or snail come near its resting spot it picks it up and drops it over the edge. if a frag happens to be where he wants to rest, he moves it out of his way. Some times if iam moving things around he will come up and nip at my hand, other times he will use my hand as his resting spot.

[Quiet Tempest]

yeah i got one from my LFS about 2 months ago, it is one of the 2 fish i own. got it for a steal under 20 bucks.

deffinatly likes its own space. if a crab or snail come near its resting spot it picks it up and drops it over the edge. if a frag happens to be where he wants to rest, he moves it out of his way. Some times if iam moving things around he will come up and nip at my hand, other times he will use my hand as his resting spot.

That's great! :thumbsup:

Mine seems to have buddied up with our kole tang. The two of them make for an awesome janitorial team.

[jdm1114]

I had one of those, great fish until it started devouring my green cats paw. I used a critter keeper with live rock rubble and a algae sheet inside. Perfect trap!:lol2: The cats paw has recovered 100% :thumbsup:

[mthomp]

how did your cats paw get into the tank? and why was it green?:spin1:

[rgonzalez]

SO if you already have a starry blenny - would it be unwise to add this guy?

[mthomp]

I couldnt say, but i would love nothing more then to have a tank dedicated to blennys.gobbies and jawfish, oh my.

[CodyStamper]

Any updates on these guys?? I was told they are so new still that they are not very hardy??

[kevinrf]

Any updates on these guys?? I was told they are so new still that they are not very hardy??

I just got a rather large one yesterday. Haven't really got to see his habits because I put him in at night.

[Terryz_]

They are very secretive.. Always with the head out of thier caves..

[Mr.Tan]

I had one of these for a little while before I took my tank down. My LFS had it listed as a sailfin blenny (unless its both?), clearly it was not based on the markings that this one has on its head and the coloring.

Great fish for sure, had an awesome personality. He had a pocket in a rock he claimed as home when he wasent grazing/swimming around. It was funny to watch him swim up, go in reverse and back his body in with just his head poking out.

[kevinrf]

He's hiding in a barnacle.. I don't know how he fits LOL

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