Will a Blenny eat my coral?

[Cuttlecute]

Hello everyone, how are you? Well, I've been trolling these forums for a bit and finally had a reason to register . I've been keeping some soft coral in a 15g tank for a few weeks now. I was thinking of buying a Lawnmower Blenny, but I am scared of losing my coral to his cute little appetite, lol. Are Blennies known for eating coral? I have 3 small colonies of zoa, and 2 small colonies of paly, am also getting some Blue Xenia in the coming weeks. Any advice would be appreciated, thank you

[reefD]

they have been known to nip at mantles. are you adding him for algae issues?

[reefD]

if no algae issues there ae many better options

[Cuttlecute]

No algae problems yet, lol. I just like Blennies I was told I could feed it hair algae like chaeto, which I was thinking of adding to my sump because I like how crazy it looks. You have to wrap the algae around something hard so that the Blenny can scrape it off. Is there a reason I shouldn't get a Blenny though?

[captstinky]

I once picked up a blenny- it ate all my zoas.
I no longer have a blenny.
FWIW-It's not easy to catch a blenny in a reef tank.

[Peter Eichler]

Originally posted by Cuttlecute
No algae problems yet, lol. I just like Blennies I was told I could feed it hair algae like chaeto, which I was thinking of adding to my sump because I like how crazy it looks. You have to wrap the algae around something hard so that the Blenny can scrape it off. Is there a reason I shouldn't get a Blenny though?

First of all, I think a 15 gallon is too small for a lawnmower blenny. Secondly, they typically don't eat chaeto or even most macralgaes. Lastly, they will often starve to death if they don't have plenty of micro algae to graze on in a larger aquarium.

If you don't plan on getting any SPS corals a tailspot or bicolor blenny would be a much better choice.

[SaltGirl08]

I have a lawnmower blenny in my 55gal reef and I let the back glass grow algae. He's constantly got something to eat and he still picks at the bits of food that fall his way. I wouldn't put a LMB in a 15 gal though. I don't think you could generate enought algae to sustain their massive appetite. Rocky is constantly grazing on the back glass.

[NiTr0x911]

i just caught my Bi color nipping at my acans yesterday.Never had a problem with one before

[DetectiveTofu]

I think a tail-spot blenny (Ecsenius stigmatura) would be an awesome addition to your tank. I have two in my 33g cube tank, and they go to town on the micro algae that is (or was ) in my tank. I would definitely be sure to QT them first, and get them to eat pellets or flakes before putting them into your tank though. This will ensure that when they are done eating the algae in the tank, they will readily accept other foods.
Also, FWIW, hair algae is not the same chaetomorpha I have yet to see a blenny munch on macroalgaes.

[Anemonebuff]

I have a bicolor blenny and he picks at my monti every once and a while, but not enough to cause significant damage.

[hawkfishman]

do u like the bi-color or midas may be better picks if u don't have hair algea problems

[Aerowen]

i would not recommend a lawnmower blenny, because they will probably starve after a while. However, i would recomment a tail spot, i have one and after it ate the hair algae and various plants it now eats pellets and flakes along with nori.

[Cuttlecute]

Awwww, I guess I won't get a Lawnmower Blenny afterall >.< Thanks a lot for your help everyone I don't know if I like the other Blennies too much though, I might just get something completely different. I not only want a cute and non destructive fish, but I would like one that can be happy in a 15g tank. Any other suggestions on a reef friendly fish like that?

[SaltGirl08]

You could look into gobies. They're pretty, nondestructive and some are more suitable for smaller tank setups. They also eat pretty readily too.

[Gdevine]

I have a huge LMB who never once touched a coral of any type on my tank. On the other hand; she's a P-I-G! She will eat frozen, she will eat pellets, she will eat Nori, she will eat sinking pellets...she will eat algae...but never touched a coral LPS or Soft.

And oh yea, she's a cutie

Guys - These are one one of the best tank mates you can get!

[SlukBunWalla]

My lawnmower blenny munched the polyps off my ORA green birdsnest, and a neon green digitata killing both. I thought, "Maybe it's because they're green...kind of algae-like"

So, Gdevine when I saw the pic of yours sitting next to your hydnophora I cringed a little. hehe

[zippopunk1]

i dont know the name of the blenny i have it has a dark blue body, yellow stripe down its back and baby blue eyes anyways it was suppose to be reef safe it was fine with all my soft corals, polyps and even a dersa clam. when i added sps ate everyone and started picking at my ultra maxima clams so i had to move them. i will not be moving this blenny to my new 85 gallon when it comes he will be going to a lfs. on the plus side it eats algae like crazy

[MileHighFish]

I too have a Lawn Mower blenny, he eats tank algae and nori and nothing else, but I agree with the post above 15 gal is to small.. good luck

[Cuttlecute]

Are Blennies known for eating Coralline? I sure hope not, lol. I love my Coralline. But maybe in the future I could make a tank specifically for the Blenny, then he can eat any excess frags I have if he does turn up an appetite for them >=) I am thinking of eventually upgrading to a larger tank. So what size would be ideal for a Blenny? 150g? 200g? Tall, long, shallow, what? Thanks again for all your input everyone

[ALLANSAM]

I have never heard of a blenny eating on corals. we have had several,no problem.