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Fang Blenny

Blenny

blennioidei sp

Many aquarium species are found in the tropical Indo-Pacific ocean. These close relatives of gobies are intelligent, entertaining and rather territorial. Be careful when handling your fang blenny as they have a venomous bite which they may use to defend themselves against a perceived threat.

Blenny blennioidei sp

Blenny Facts

Average Adult Size 3 to 5 inches long
Average Life Span: Depends on species
Diet: Omnivore or herbivore depending on species
Minimum Aquarium Size: 29+ gallons, depending on species
Water Temperature: 72-78°F
Salinity Level: 1.020-1.025

Diet

A well-balanced blenny diet consists of:

  • Varied diet including mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, flakes, pellets and frozen food.
  • Vary diet to ensure proper nutritional balance.

Feeding

Things to remember when feeding your blenny:

  • Feed 1 to 2 times daily, no more than fish can eat in 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Thaw frozen food before feeding.

Housing

  • Keep in an appropriate size aquarium; provide plants, rock and décor for hiding places and plenty of room for movement.
  • Live rock can provide a natural food source and hiding places while also enhancing biological filtration.
  • Stable water quality, water temperature, and pH levels are critical to the health of the aquatic life. If you are unsure of your water quality, Petco provides free water testing.

Normal Behavior

  • Some can be territorial and need plenty of hiding places; especially like to hide in live rock.
  • Many can only swim a short distance at a time, so it looks like they're hopping, not swimming.
  • Usually inhabit the bottom of the tank.

Habitat Maintenance

Daily: check filter, water temperature, specific gravity and other equipment.

Weekly: check water quality at least once a week.

Monthly: change 10 to 25% of the total volume of water every 2 to 4 weeks, or as needed. Introduce new inhabitants to the aquarium gradually.

Compatibility

  • Compatible with dwarf and large angelfish, cardinalfish, clownfish, damselfish, gobies, hawkfish and tangs.
  • Unless kept in a breeding pair, keep only one blenny per aquarium.

Avoid overcrowded conditions; they are a major cause of stress and disease. Maintain good water quality with regular water changes and adequate filtration.

Health

Signs of a Healthy Fish

  • Clear eyes
  • Eats vigorously
  • Hides most of the time
  • Fins completely intact and undamaged

Avoid overcrowded conditions; they are a major cause of stress and disease. Maintain good water quality with regular water changes and adequate filtration.

Red Flags

  • Loss of color
  • Spots or fungus on body or mouth
  • Listlessness
  • Labored breathing
  • Weight loss
  • Cloudy eyes
  • Erratic swimming

Common Health Issues

Health Issue Symptoms or Causes Suggested Action
Health IssueDiarrhea Symptoms or Causes Fecal portion of stool not formed. Multiple causes, from change in diet to internal parasites. Suggested ActionConsult your veterinarian and ensure correct diet.
Health IssueLice or feather mites Symptoms or CausesRestlessness, scratching, feather picking. Suggested Action Consult your veterinarian and clean habitat.
Health IssueAvian pox Symptoms or CausesLesions in mouth, scabs on eyes and face. Suggested Actionisolate bird and consult your veterinarian.

Shopping list for needed supplies:

Download as PDF

Sources

Ask an associate about Petco's selection of books on clownfish or damselfish and the variety of Petco Brand products available for the care and happiness of your new pet. All Petco Brand products carry a 100% money-back guarantee.

Because all aquatic life are potential carriers of infectious diseases, such as Atypical Mycobacterium and Salmonella, always wash your hands before and after handling your aquatic life or habitat contents to help prevent the potential spread of disease.

Pregnant women, children under the age of 5, senior citizens and people with weakened immune systems should contact their physician before purchasing or caring for aquatic life and should consider not having aquatic life as a pet.

Go to cdc.gov/healthypets and petco.com/caresheet for more information about aquatic life and disease.

This care sheet can cover the needs of other species.

Note:The information on this Care Sheet is not a substitute for veterinary care. If you need additional information, please refer to the s on the following page or contact your veterinarian as appropriate.

Developed with and approved by a qualified veterinarian.