starry/snowflake blenny?

[shelburn61]

Anyone have experience with these guys (salarius ramosus)? Similar to a lawnmower blenny I guess?

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=2263

[dvmsn]

No, from my understanding they are NOT reefsafe

[shelburn61]

what are you basing this statement on?

[Angel*Fish]

They are herbivores - maybe they'd peck at a little coral slime? I wouldn't hesitate to try one in a reef

[jmicky41]

I don't know about that one, there are similar looking blennies that feed one stony corals. I watched them in Hawaii, every few seconds that would take a big nip at the corals. I'm not sure that is the same fish - but I'd be leery of it.

[Angel*Fish]

Aw c'mon now - how can you say no to a face like this?
http://a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/1121/20051014000233/www.liveaquaria.com/images/products/large/p_80588.jpg
Seriously fishbase says all that's in their stomachs is algae. Maybe that's wrong? Somebody must have one of these guys!

[shelburn61]

I agree. Lawnmower blennies have as much personality as any fish. I'm thinking/hoping these fish are very similar, but reefsafe is still a priority.

[shelburn61]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7627779#post7627779 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jmicky41
I don't know about that one, there are similar looking blennies that feed one stony corals. I watched them in Hawaii, every few seconds that would take a big nip at the corals. I'm not sure that is the same fish - but I'd be leery of it.

I doubt it's the same fish. These come from the Indo-pacific. Same genus as the lawnmower blenny.

[dvmsn]

One came into a local lfs. The owner said he didn't think they were reefsafe. He is usually pretty good.

[Angel*Fish]

Greg Rothschild's tank (http://www.gregrothschildphotography.com/mytankwinter05/index.htm) I found this gorgeous tank of Greg Rothschild w/a starry in it. There's a close up of his starry blenny perched on a plating montipora down in the thumbnails

[Rothie]

I had one of these.They are totally reef safe and have a wonderful personality.Mine ate anything I put in the tank.

[dvmsn]

Disclaimer , I have never owned one so don't rely on me.

[DiViNeLeFT]

some people have reported even lawnmower blennies to nip at corals. i think this is more to do with the individual fish rather than the entire species. My lawnmower has never nipped at a coral. Similiarly the flame angel in the tank at my office never nips at corals but others have reported them to eat entire colonies of corals. also some peoples BTA's eat fish, others have never had a problem. the best answer i think you are going to find is "try it and see if it works. take it back to the store if it doesnt".

[Angel*Fish]

shelburn61, did you wind up getting one?

[catdoc]

I got one on Friday to replace my lawnmower blenny (who is MIA after being temporarily housed at a wonderful LFS). It's too soon to give a complete report, but so far he's a very fun little fish. Very outgoing, minds his own business and isn't startled by the bigger fish, eating flake food--I give him a thumb's up!

[PufferFish87]

thats a beautiful fish i love blennies

[All Delight]

Mine is reef safe