Care Level: Moderately easy Adult Size: 4.7in pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3 Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026 Origin/Habitat: Tropical Western Atlantic Temperament/Behaviour: Moderately aggressive
Compatible Tank mates: Angels, Butterflyfishes, Surgeonfishes, Triggers. Diet: Vegetable matters, including frozen and dried foods containing marine algae and the blue-green alga Spirulina. Does best if a crop of microalgae (its natural source of food) is growing in the aquarium.
Tank Size For Adult: 30gal (114l) Narrative: Add to the reef aquarium with caution. May nip at stony corals and clam mantles. One of a number of well-camouflaged blennies that depend on good grazing for their survival. This species should be housed in a well-established tank that contains a growth of microalgae. It will help control nuisance algae, but may find insufficient grazing in smaller tanks. Spends most of its time sitting on the substrate. Usually ignored by its tankmates, although it may behave aggressively toward members of its own species, closely related forms, or any smaller fishes that enter its territory. Keep only one per tank, except in a larger aquarium or if a male-female pair is obtained.
Common Names: Bluestriped Fang Blenny (Pacific Neon Goby
Care Level: Moderately difficult
Adult Size: 4.7in
pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3
Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C
Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026
Origin/Habitat: Indo-Pacific
Temperament/Behaviour: Aggressive
Compatible Tank mates: Best kept in its own specimen tank
Diet: Feeds on the scales and body slime of other fishes. Will eat live brine shrimp. Some will also consume finely chopped seafood.
Tank Size For Adult: 30gal (114l)
Narrative: Harmless to ornamental invertebrates but difficult to house with other fishes. One of the so-called sabretoothed blennies, this fish will bite its tankmates unless they have toxic body slime. Should be kept on its own in a specimen tank, or with protected fishes, such as puffers. Juveniles mimic the Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus), while adults with an orange colour form often swim among schools of Lyretail Anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis. Keep only one per tank.
Common Names: Jewelled Rockskipper (Jewelled Blenny, Lawnmower Blenny, Algae Blenny)
Care Level: Moderately easy
Adult Size: 5.1in
pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3
Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C
Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026
Origin/Habitat: Indo-Pacific
Temperament/Behaviour: Moderately peaceful
Compatible Tank mates: Angels, Damselfishes, Triggers, Wrasses.
Diet: Vegetable matter, including frozen and dried foods containing marine algae and the blue-green alga Spirulina. Does best if a crop of microalgae (its natural source of food) is present in the aquarium.
Tank Size For Adult: 55gal (208l)
Narrative: Add with caution to the reef aquarium. May nip at stony corals and clam mantles. Its feeding activity stirs up sediment, putting detritus into suspension where it can be removed by mechanical filters. This is a utility fish acquired by many aquarists to help control filamentous and film algae. (It will leave curious, full-lipped “kiss marks” on the walls of the aquarium where it rasps away algal growth). May starve in tanks that are not well established or that have insufficient algae. Large individuals will attack fish tankmates, including other blenny species, especially in smaller aquariums. Keep singly, unless in a large system or if a male-female pair is obtained. Never keep with seahorses or pipefishes, which it will harass.
Care Level: Difficult Adult Size: 7.1in pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3 Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026 Origin/Habitat: Western Pacific Temperament/Behaviour: Peaceful
Compatible Tank mates: Angels, Butterflyfishes, Surgeonfishes, Diet: Difficult to feed. House in a tank with a bed of well established live sand, which provides live natural foods. Offer meaty foods, including shaved shrimp or vitamin-enriched live brine shrimp, using a long pipette, rigid air-line tubing, or a poultry baster to deposit items near the fish on the substrate.
Tank Size For Adult: 75gal (284l) Narrative: Often referred to as “gobies”; the Dragonets actually occupy an adjacent Suborder, - the Callionymoidei. The fourteen genera and about 186 species of the family Callionymidae are typified by small gill openings, by having broad depressed heads, and scales bodies with two dorsal fins. They have a characteristic “scooting” type of movement. An excellent choice for the reef aquarium. This strange looking fish is a definite conversation piece, with its exotic finnage, including a finger like pelvic ray. Peaceful except with conspecifics (males will fight), and possibly other dragonets. It is an easy target for nipping and will have difficulty competing with aggressive feeders. Needs plenty of open sand bottom and will bury itself when threatened or at night.
Common Names: Scooter Dragonet (Ocellated Dragonet)
Care Level: Difficult Adult Size: 2.4in pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3 Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026 Origin/Habitat: Western Pacific Temperament/Behaviour: Peaceful
Compatible Tank mates: Angels, Butterflyfishes, Surgeonfishes, Diet: Difficult to feed. House in a tank with a bed of well established live sand, which provides live natural foods. Offer meaty foods, including shaved shrimp or vitamin-enriched live brine shrimp, using a long pipette, rigid air-line tubing, or a poultry baster to deposit items near the fish on the substrate.
Tank Size For Adult: 75gal (284l) Narrative: Often referred to as “gobies”; the Dragonets actually occupy an adjacent Suborder, - the Callionymoidei. The fourteen genera and about 186 species of the family Callionymidae are typified by small gill openings, by having broad depressed heads, and scales bodies with two dorsal fins. They have a characteristic “scooting” type of movement. An excellent choice for the reef aquarium. Males sport a brighter colours and a larger first dorsal fin, which is erected and spread wide when displaying to less-ornate females or rivals. To keep more than one, choose two or three females with a single male. More than one male can be kept in a large aquarium if all are introduced simultaneously. More pugnacious tankmates may pester the dragonet and prevent it from getting enough to eat; best kept with docile species.
Common Names: Spotted Mandarinfish (Psychedelic Mandarinfish, Target Mandarinfish, Picture Dragonet)
Care Level: Difficult
Adult Size: 2.8in
pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3
Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C
Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026
Origin/Habitat: Western Pacific
Temperament/Behaviour: Peaceful
Compatible Tank mates: Angels, Butterflyfishes, Surgeonfishes,
Diet: Difficult to feed. Must be provided with plenty of natural prey, which can be introduced on live rock and live sand. May eat vitamin-enriched live brine shrimp and live black worms, but is a methodical feeder that does not fare well with competitors.
Tank Size For Adult: 75gal (284l) (Recommended due to its need for plenty of live rock to ensure a healthy diet and survival.)
Narrative: Often referred to as “gobies”; the Dragonets actually occupy an adjacent Suborder, - the Callionymoidei. The fourteen genera and about 186 species of the family Callionymidae are typified by small gill openings, by having broad depressed heads, and scales bodies with two dorsal fins. They have a characteristic “scooting” type of movement. An excellent choice for the reef aquarium. Will eat brown flatworms, which can reach plague proportions in certain reef aquariums. This exquisite fish should only be kept in an established aquarium with live substrate and plenty of hiding places; it will starve in a new or barren tank. Should not be kept with anemones, which may eat this fish. It will ignore other species, but males will attach male conspecifics, as well as male S.Splendidus. May bury itself in the sand at night or if threatened. Males have a more elongated first dorsal spine than females.
Common Names: Green Mandarinfish (Striped Mandarinfish)
Care Level: Difficult Adult Size: 3.1in pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3 Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026 Origin/Habitat: Western Pacific Temperament/Behaviour: Peaceful
Compatible Tank mates: Seahorses, pipefish, Butterflyfishes, Surgeonfishes. Diet: Difficult to feed. Must be provided with plenty of natural prey, which can be introduced on live rock and live sand. May eat vitamin-enriched live brine shrimp and live black worms, but is a methodical feeder that does not fare well with competitors.
Tank Size For Adult: 75gal (284l) (Recommended due to its need for plenty of live rock to ensure a healthy diet and survival.) Narrative: Often referred to as “gobies”, the Dragonets actually occupy an adjacent Suborder, - the Callionymoidei. The fourteen genera and about 186 species of the family Callionymidae are typified by small gill openings, by having broad depressed heads, and scales bodies with two dorsal fins. They have a characteristic “scooting” type of movement. An excellent choice for the reef aquarium. This ornate species with its mazelike patterns of green, orange and blue is a longstanding favourite species that has an unfortunate survival record among aquarists. This fish too often starves in newly set up or sterile tanks. It must be kept in a well-established aquarium with live substrate and –plenty of hiding places. Will ignore other fish species, but males will attack male conspecifics. Although mandarins apparently exude a noxious slime that deters potential fish predators, they may be eaten by sea anemones. Males have a more-elongate first dorsal spine than females. Has spawned in captivity.
Compatible Tank mates: Seahorses, pipefish, Butterflyfishes, Surgeonfishes.
Diet: Difficult to feed. Must be provided with plenty of natural prey, which can be introduced on live rock and live sand. May eat vitamin-enriched live brine shrimp and live black worms, but is a methodical feeder that does not fare well with competitors.
Tank Size For Adult: 75gal (284l) (Recommended due to its need for plenty of live rock to ensure a healthy diet and survival.)
Narrative: Often referred to as “gobies”, the Dragonets actually occupy an adjacent Suborder, - the Callionymoidei. The fourteen genera and about 186 species of the family Callionymidae are typified by small gill openings, by having broad depressed heads, and scales bodies with two dorsal fins. They have a characteristic “scooting” type of movement. An excellent choice for the reef aquarium. To keep more than one, choose two or three females with a single male. Males a re more brightly coloured than females and have a flamboyant first dorsal fin to attract females or warn rivals. This species is mostly indifferent to other fishes, but may be pestered by more-pugnacious tankmates. As with other dragonets, the large cheek spines can become entangled in the mesh of a fishnet. Use a specimen container if capture is necessary.
Common Names: Orangespotted Shrimp Goby (The Spotted Prawn Goby)
Care Level: Easy Adult Size: 3.5in pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3 Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026 Origin/Habitat: Western Pacific Temperament/Behaviour: Peaceful
Compatible Tank mates: Blennies, Angels, Cardinalfish, and Surgeonfish. Diet: Meaty foods, including fresh or frozen mysid shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped table shrimp, and frozen preparations.
Tank Size For Adult: 20gal (76l) Narrative: Excellent for the reef aquarium, although a possible threat to small, delicate ornamental shrimps. Members of this genus form symbiotic partnerships with nearly blind alpheid shrimps – the fish providing watchful eyes and the shrimp digging a burrow, which they share. Also known as prawn gobies, they are well suited to aquarium life and not aggressive, except toward conspecifics (this applies particularly to male specimens). The goby will survive without the shrimp, but they make a fascinating display when acquired together. (This species usually lives in the burrows of Alpheus ochrostristus.) Provide them with a bed of fine sand and loose coral rubble. May jump out of an open aquarium when startled.
Common Names: Randall’s Shrimp Goby (Randall’s Prawn Goby)
Care Level: Easy Adult Size: 3.5in pH Range: 8.1 – 8.3 Temperature Range: (F/C) 77-79F/25-26C Specific Gravity/Hardness Range: 1.023-1.026 Origin/Habitat: Western Pacific Temperament/Behaviour: Peaceful
Compatible Tank mates: Blennies, Angels, Cardinalfish, and Surgeonfish. Diet: Meaty foods, including fresh or frozen mysid shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped table shrimp, and frozen preparations for carnivores.
Tank Size For Adult: 20gal (76l) Narrative: Excellent for the reef aquarium, although a possible threat to small, delicate ornamental shrimps. This is probably the most spectacular member of the genus, with males that display a fanlike dorsal fin that bears a dramatic “eyespot”. This species may not eat for several days after it is introduced, but will usually acclimate and begin eating. Can be kept with other shrimp gobies and may even share a burrow with another species. Conspecifics will occasionally quarrel if kept together, usually without serious consequence unless the aquarium is small. Occasionally its large dorsal fin is a target for species that like to nip fins or remove parasites (such as the Longfin Bannerfish, Heniochus acuminatus).
