Description
Scientific Name: Ecsenius lineatus
Common Names: Linear Blenny, Lined Blenny, Lined Combtooth Blenny, Klausewitz’s Blenny
Maximum Length: 3.5″
Minimum Aquarium Size: 30 Gallon
Aquarium Suitability: Generally Durable and Hardy
Diet: Herbivorous; primarily feeds on algae. Supplement with vegetable-based foods like nori, spirulina flakes, or herbivore pellets if natural algae growth is insufficient.
Reef Safe: Yes
Temperament: Peaceful; generally ignores other fish but may show territorial behavior toward similar-shaped species. Thrives in community tanks with non-aggressive tankmates.
Captive Care: The Linear Blenny is an easy-to-care-for species suitable for beginner to intermediate hobbyists in reef setups. Provide a sand substrate and plenty of live rock for grazing, perching, and hiding. It may nip at small SPS corals like Acropora or Montipora, so it’s best suited for tanks without immature or delicate SPS colonies. Quarantine new specimens for 2–4 weeks to prevent parasitic infections like ich. A tight-fitting lid is recommended as they can jump.
Fun Facts:
- Perch Enthusiast: Ecsenius lineatus loves to perch on live rock or coral, often observing tank activity from elevated spots, adding a watchful personality to your aquarium.
- Algae Controller: In the wild, these blennies help maintain reef health by grazing on algae, a behavior that translates to keeping your tank surfaces clean in captivity.
- Slime Shield: Protected by a thick mucus coating, this blenny is resistant to stings from some corals and anemones, allowing it to navigate reef environments safely.
- Indo-Pacific Native: Found in shallow coastal and outer reef crests across the Indo-Pacific, they prefer areas with rich coral growth up to 28 meters deep, making them adaptable to well-structured home reefs.
