Starry Blenny

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Easy   • Temperament: Peaceful   • Maximum Size: 4"
• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons   • Water Conditions: 72-80° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
• Diet: Herbivore   • Origin: Western Central Pacific, Indo-Pacific
• Family: Blenniidae   • Species: Blennies   • Aquarium Type: Reef Compatible

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The Starry Blenny (Salarias ramosus), also commonly called the Starry Lawnmower Blenny due to its close relation, is a comical and interesting species native to the Western Central Pacific reefs. The Starry Blenny gets its name from its dark brown base color with multiple white to light blue dots over its entire body; they also have bushy cirri (whisker-like appendages) protruding from between their eyes, are equipped with combed teeth for algae grazing. The Starry Blenny prefers a well established aquarium containing various strains of marine algae along with stable water parameters.

The Starry Blenny likes to perch on live rock and corals between grazing to make sure it doesn't miss anything going on in the aquarium. They are a hardy and intelligent species that will add personality to any system along with the added benefit of controlling nuisance algae growth. Starry Blennies are a popular choice for "nano" systems as well as larger community reef setups and will get along peacefully with their tank mates as long as they do not have a similar appearance; they are readily available within the hobby at very reasonable prices.

The Starry Blenny requires an aquarium of at least 30 gallons and should be provided with plenty of live rock for grazing, perching and hiding; the live rock should be stable as Starry Blennies will sometimes dig and move rubble and other objects around which can dislodge structures and can lead to injury. Blennies are also known to be excellent jumpers, so a sealed or secure top is recommended for their environment. They are peaceful bottom dwellers, but they been known to be territorial with other Blennies, small Gobies, Dartfish and species that have a similar appearance. They are considered to be reef-safe, but have been known to pick at the mantles of clams and LPS corals when underfed (this is much less common in larger systems).

The Starry Blenny is a herbivore and grazes on various marine algae within its natural environment. In the aquarium it should be fed a variety of vitamin-enriched marine algae, vegetable matter, and quality, Spirulina-based prepared foods. It will also gaze upon ornamental and nuisance micro/macro algae that may already be present in the aquarium. Feed twice per day.