Common name: White-lined comb-tooth
General information
The Painted Blenny, Ecsenius pictus, is a small, colorful fish known for its distinctive patterns and active behavior. This species is part of the combtooth blennies and is appreciated for its personality and ease of care, making it a popular choice among reef aquarium enthusiasts.
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
- 10 cm (4″)
- Care level
- Moderate to easy Prefers complex rockwork
- Diet
- Herbivore Algae grazer in nature
- Social
- Solo Territorial, best kept alone
- Reefsafe
- Yes
- Aggression
- Semi aggresive May nip at conspecifics
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerch-like FishesPerciformes
- FamilyBlenniesBlenniidae
- GenusBlenniesEcsenius
- SpeciesWhite-lined comb-toothEcsenius pictus McKinney & Springer, 1976
Care
Painted Blennies are hardy and adaptable, but they do best in well-established aquariums with plenty of live rock for grazing and hiding. They are herbivores, primarily feeding on algae, so a tank with natural algae growth is beneficial. Supplemental feeding with algae-based foods will keep them healthy and vibrant.
Reproduction
In the aquarium, Ecsenius pictus may display breeding behavior, but successful captive breeding is rare. They are oviparous, with males guarding and aerating the eggs until they hatch.
Habitat
Native to the Indo-Pacific region, Painted Blennies are typically found in shallow, coral-rich environments. They prefer areas with strong water movement and are often seen darting in and out of crevices in the reef.
Geographical distribution includes the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and along the East African coast to the Maldives and Sri Lanka, extending to the Andaman Sea.