Common name: Redspotted rockskipper
General information
The Red-spotted Blenny, scientifically known as Blenniella chrysospilos, is a small, colorful fish that adds both character and color to a reef aquarium. They are known for their distinctive red spots and playful behavior. These blennies are often found perching on rocks or coral, darting in and out of crevices with agility.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 75 liter (20 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8.1 to 8.4
- Average size
- 12 cm (5″)
- Care level
- Moderate to easy
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Social
- Solo
- Reefsafe
- Yes
- Aggression
- Semi aggresive
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerch-like FishesPerciformes
- FamilyBlenniesBlenniidae
- GenusBlennyBlenniella
- SpeciesRedspotted rockskipperBlenniella chrysospilos (Bleeker, 1857)
- SynonymsAlticus evermanni Jordan & Seale, 1906Istiblennius chrysospilos (Bleeker, 1857)Istiblennius chrysospilos insulinus Smith, 1959Istiblennius coronatus (Günther, 1872)Istiblennius insulinus Smith, 1959Salarias aureopuncticeps Fowler, 1946Salarias belemnites De Vis, 1884Salarias bryani Jordan & Seale, 1906Salarias chrysospilos Bleeker, 1857Salarias coronatus Günther, 1872Salarias unimaculatus Aoyagi, 1954
Care
Red-spotted Blennies are hardy and adaptable, making them suitable for both beginner and advanced aquarists. They require an aquarium with plenty of live rock for hiding and grazing on microalgae. It's important to maintain stable water conditions and provide a varied diet that includes algae-based foods and meaty items like mysis shrimp.
Reproduction
In the wild, Blenniella chrysospilos are known to lay eggs in crevices or under overhangs. The male guards the eggs until they hatch. While breeding them in captivity is not common, providing a stress-free environment with plenty of hiding spaces can encourage reproductive behavior.
Habitat
Red-spotted Blennies are found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa, north to the Ryukyu Islands, and south to New Caledonia. They inhabit shallow coral reefs and rocky areas, usually not deeper than 12 meters.