Common name: Redspotted rockskipper

Scientific name: Blenniella chrysospilos (Bleeker, 1857)
Orange Spotted Blenny (Blenniella chrysospilos) in reef tankA cute Red-spotted blenny, Blenniella chrysospilos, looks out from its protective home on a coral reef in Indonesia. This combtooth blenny feeds on algae.
モンツキカエルウオ Red-spotted blenny

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

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Chordates
    Chordata
  3. Class
    Ray-finned Fishes
    Actinopterygii
  4. Order
    Perch-like Fishes
    Perciformes
  5. Family
    Blennies
    Blenniidae
  6. Genus
    Blenny
    Blenniella
  7. Species
    Redspotted rockskipper
    Blenniella chrysospilos (Bleeker, 1857)
  8. Synonyms
    Alticus evermanni Jordan & Seale, 1906
    Istiblennius chrysospilos (Bleeker, 1857)
    Istiblennius chrysospilos insulinus Smith, 1959
    Istiblennius coronatus (Günther, 1872)
    Istiblennius insulinus Smith, 1959
    Salarias aureopuncticeps Fowler, 1946
    Salarias belemnites De Vis, 1884
    Salarias bryani Jordan & Seale, 1906
    Salarias chrysospilos Bleeker, 1857
    Salarias coronatus Günther, 1872
    Salarias 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.