Lawnmower Blenny Question

new2scene · 04/04/2007, 06:40 AM

i bought a lb yesterday and all was well. he was eating etc. . this morning i have been looking for him and he's nowhere to be found! i have a regular canopy with some space open in the back for the hang on filter. could he have escaped and my cat got a late night snack or do they burrow in the sand as i notice a bit of a hill in the sand?

new2scene · 04/04/2007, 06:59 AM

Also wanted to know if i can put a maroon clown in with the clarkii

Kanicky · 04/04/2007, 07:04 AM

In answer to your first question: I'm sure he's fine. He's in a new environment and may just be skulking around your LR. If you don't see him at feeding time or for a couple of days, I'd be a little more concerned, but I'd bet he's just hiding out.

In answer to your second question: No. Maroon clowns are very territorial and aggressive, and while it may be tempting to have them both, your Clarkii will eventually die from stress or from getting beat up.

new2scene · 04/04/2007, 07:22 AM

okay thanks for the info. i've looked in the rocks and i can't see him. that will be 2 for Truffles if this is the case. he killed a pigeon on saturday and left it in my bedroom.

splateee · 04/04/2007, 09:09 AM

Our lawnmower blenny hides alot also. There are days that i can't find him anywhere and there are days where he is out perched on the rocks. Lots of times he is out but blends in so well with the live rock that its hard to spot him.

Lpabsolute · 04/04/2007, 09:22 AM

He's prob. just hidding. Give it a day or two. I'm sure he'll come out when he gets use to the tank or get hungry. Good Luck

boomsticks · 04/04/2007, 09:23 AM

They are very good at blending into the LR as well. You might be looking straight at him and not even know. My hides normally at night or hides behind my clam with his head perched on the mantle. Give it a couple days and you should probably see him most active in the early morning-afternoon time.

llama72 · 04/04/2007, 09:38 AM

My goal is to have a Mandarian. My tank has been up for 2 months. I also want a LB, too.

This thread is perfect for my questions.

#1 Is 2 months long enough to wait for a Lawnmower Blenny?
#2 If I get a LB, does it mean I need to wait more than 6 months to get the Mandarian?

Thanks,

returnofsid · 04/04/2007, 09:47 AM

llama72, actually, this thread isn't perfect for your questions and you should start up a thread for yourself. Still, I'll attempt to answer your questions.

#1. Doubtful. LM Blennys need a large amount of natural growing algae. Does your tank have enough algae growing to sustain a LM Blenny? Are you willing to let your algae grow out for that purpose? Do you have any other potential algae eating fish in your system that would compete for the same foods, such as the Yellow Tang in your signature? Some LM Blennys will eat foods you provide, others won't. It's hit and miss with them.

#2. Having a LM Blenny has nothing to do with how long you should wait for a Mandarin. They eat totally different foods so won't compete for a food source. In any tank, it's suggested you wait 6 months to a year before adding a Mandarin. The reason for this is because Mandarins are very picky eaters. Most will NOT eat foods you provide and need to hunt and feed on the micro-fauna in your tank to survive. They need an enormous population of copepods, mysid shrimp and other micro-fauna. Here's another fish where it's critical that there not be other fish in the tank that will out compete them for food. Mandarins are slow and deliberate feeders. If you have something in there that eats their same food supply, Mandarins usually starve. For instance, stay away from most Wrasses. Especially 6 line wrasse. Also any other fish that have a normal diet of the micro fauna in the tank. It also takes awhile for a self sustaining population of micro fauna to grow in your tank.

llama72 · 04/04/2007, 10:03 AM

the reason i said this thread was perfect was it was talking about 1 of the 2 fish i wanted and the guy had put 1 of those in a 1 month-old tank.

thanks for the information, though

cracklin · 04/04/2007, 12:49 PM

Just look for his refuse. Our LB defecates like a grown man.

jmait769 · 04/04/2007, 12:56 PM

Crackling

To Reef Central

Can you spot the Blennie?

*Hint* Look just under the blue mushroom!

Hope he turns up for the OP!!

Jay

FLReefGirl · 04/04/2007, 12:57 PM

Mine hides in the cracks of the rocks, look up in some holes. He also seems to change colors to blend in w/ the LR. He's right in front of my face sometimes and I don't even notice him.

I don't know if LB are known to be jumpers, mine only goes to the top to sit on the powerhead and watch the other fish.

He doesn't tend to have that thrusting to the top behavior.

Put a piece of seaweed on a clip, he'll eventually come out.
Enjoy him, they are real characters.

cracklin mine does too. he comes to the front glass to do it right in front of you too. i guess they're not that shy.

new2scene · 04/04/2007, 01:01 PM

Good news I found him. i don't know where the heck he was hiding as i only have about 50lbs LR but he managed to evade me!

04/04/2007, 07:04 AM	#3
Kanicky Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 194	In answer to your first question: I'm sure he's fine. He's in a new environment and may just be skulking around your LR. If you don't see him at feeding time or for a couple of days, I'd be a little more concerned, but I'd bet he's just hiding out. In answer to your second question: No. Maroon clowns are very territorial and aggressive, and while it may be tempting to have them both, your Clarkii will eventually die from stress or from getting beat up. __________________ Katie & Nick Seahorse, 45G Hex: h. kuda (4); Sexy Shrimp (5) Undecided, 1/2G Pico: Possibly a couple of Sexy Shrimp Current Tank Info: 45G Seahorse

04/04/2007, 07:22 AM	#4
new2scene Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 228	okay thanks for the info. i've looked in the rocks and i can't see him. that will be 2 for Truffles if this is the case. he killed a pigeon on saturday and left it in my bedroom. __________________ 45 g 100g rated Skimmer 30lbs argonite 50 fiji LR Coralife 2x96, 10000k 200W heater 2 MJ 1200 Current Tank Info: 45 gallon saltwater livestock- 5 Hermits, 1 Camel Shrimp, 3 Astrea snails, 2 Nassarius, Yellow Wrasse, Anthia, Orange spotted Goby, Percula Clown, 1 Chromis psycodelic dragonet

04/04/2007, 09:22 AM	#6
Lpabsolute Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Johns Island, SC Posts: 2,021	He's prob. just hidding. Give it a day or two. I'm sure he'll come out when he gets use to the tank or get hungry. Good Luck __________________ "Do not float above me when I'm drowning in the abyss......float away from me.........float away" Current Tank Info: 54g Corner Reef Tank......and......5.5g Nano Reef Tank......and......20g Long Reef Tank.......and......27g Cube

04/04/2007, 09:23 AM	#7
boomsticks Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Good ol NH Posts: 547	They are very good at blending into the LR as well. You might be looking straight at him and not even know. My hides normally at night or hides behind my clam with his head perched on the mantle. Give it a couple days and you should probably see him most active in the early morning-afternoon time. __________________ Don't take life too seriously, nobody gets out alive anyway. Current Tank Info: 55 gal reef, 24 cube

04/04/2007, 12:56 PM	#12
jmait769 -CSHFLW Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 2,685	Crackling *To Reef Central* Can you spot the Blennie? Hint Look just under the blue mushroom! Hope he turns up for the OP!! Jay __________________ "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work" - Thomas Alva Edison http://www.reeftronics.net/jay-m/reefcam Current Tank Info: 150 Gallon, Marco Rocks, 8x80W ATI Powermodule, Apex, Super Reef Octopus XP-3000 external

04/04/2007, 06:40 AM	#1
new2scene Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 228	Lawnmower Blenny Question i bought a lb yesterday and all was well. he was eating etc. . this morning i have been looking for him and he's nowhere to be found! i have a regular canopy with some space open in the back for the hang on filter. could he have escaped and my cat got a late night snack or do they burrow in the sand as i notice a bit of a hill in the sand? __________________ 45 g 100g rated Skimmer 30lbs argonite 50 fiji LR Coralife 2x96, 10000k 200W heater 2 MJ 1200 Current Tank Info: 45 gallon saltwater livestock- 5 Hermits, 1 Camel Shrimp, 3 Astrea snails, 2 Nassarius, Yellow Wrasse, Anthia, Orange spotted Goby, Percula Clown, 1 Chromis psycodelic dragonet

04/04/2007, 06:59 AM	#2
new2scene Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 228	Also wanted to know if i can put a maroon clown in with the clarkii __________________ 45 g 100g rated Skimmer 30lbs argonite 50 fiji LR Coralife 2x96, 10000k 200W heater 2 MJ 1200 Current Tank Info: 45 gallon saltwater livestock- 5 Hermits, 1 Camel Shrimp, 3 Astrea snails, 2 Nassarius, Yellow Wrasse, Anthia, Orange spotted Goby, Percula Clown, 1 Chromis psycodelic dragonet

04/04/2007, 09:09 AM	#5
splateee Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Flower Mound, Texas Posts: 561	Our lawnmower blenny hides alot also. There are days that i can't find him anywhere and there are days where he is out perched on the rocks. Lots of times he is out but blends in so well with the live rock that its hard to spot him.

04/04/2007, 09:38 AM	#8
llama72 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: hokes bluff, al Posts: 511	My goal is to have a Mandarian. My tank has been up for 2 months. I also want a LB, too. This thread is perfect for my questions. #1 Is 2 months long enough to wait for a Lawnmower Blenny? #2 If I get a LB, does it mean I need to wait more than 6 months to get the Mandarian? Thanks,

04/04/2007, 09:47 AM	#9
returnofsid Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,852	llama72, actually, this thread isn't perfect for your questions and you should start up a thread for yourself. Still, I'll attempt to answer your questions. #1. Doubtful. LM Blennys need a large amount of natural growing algae. Does your tank have enough algae growing to sustain a LM Blenny? Are you willing to let your algae grow out for that purpose? Do you have any other potential algae eating fish in your system that would compete for the same foods, such as the Yellow Tang in your signature? Some LM Blennys will eat foods you provide, others won't. It's hit and miss with them. #2. Having a LM Blenny has nothing to do with how long you should wait for a Mandarin. They eat totally different foods so won't compete for a food source. In any tank, it's suggested you wait 6 months to a year before adding a Mandarin. The reason for this is because Mandarins are very picky eaters. Most will NOT eat foods you provide and need to hunt and feed on the micro-fauna in your tank to survive. They need an enormous population of copepods, mysid shrimp and other micro-fauna. Here's another fish where it's critical that there not be other fish in the tank that will out compete them for food. Mandarins are slow and deliberate feeders. If you have something in there that eats their same food supply, Mandarins usually starve. For instance, stay away from most Wrasses. Especially 6 line wrasse. Also any other fish that have a normal diet of the micro fauna in the tank. It also takes awhile for a self sustaining population of micro fauna to grow in your tank.

04/04/2007, 10:03 AM	#10
llama72 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: hokes bluff, al Posts: 511	the reason i said this thread was perfect was it was talking about 1 of the 2 fish i wanted and the guy had put 1 of those in a 1 month-old tank. thanks for the information, though

04/04/2007, 12:49 PM	#11
cracklin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cajun Country Posts: 4	Just look for his refuse. Our LB defecates like a grown man.

04/04/2007, 12:57 PM	#13
FLReefGirl Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lake Mary, FL Posts: 514	Mine hides in the cracks of the rocks, look up in some holes. He also seems to change colors to blend in w/ the LR. He's right in front of my face sometimes and I don't even notice him. I don't know if LB are known to be jumpers, mine only goes to the top to sit on the powerhead and watch the other fish. He doesn't tend to have that thrusting to the top behavior. Put a piece of seaweed on a clip, he'll eventually come out. Enjoy him, they are real characters. cracklin mine does too. he comes to the front glass to do it right in front of you too. i guess they're not that shy.

04/04/2007, 01:01 PM	#14
new2scene Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 228	Good news I found him. i don't know where the heck he was hiding as i only have about 50lbs LR but he managed to evade me! __________________ 45 g 100g rated Skimmer 30lbs argonite 50 fiji LR Coralife 2x96, 10000k 200W heater 2 MJ 1200 Current Tank Info: 45 gallon saltwater livestock- 5 Hermits, 1 Camel Shrimp, 3 Astrea snails, 2 Nassarius, Yellow Wrasse, Anthia, Orange spotted Goby, Percula Clown, 1 Chromis psycodelic dragonet