Page 277 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

GRAMMAS, DOTTYBACKS, AND BASSLETS • BLENNIES AND MANDARINFISH 275

BLENNIES AND MANDARINFISH

The members of these two families have similar
care requirements, and they can even be
kept together in the same tank, alongside
invertebrates and placid fish, such as
seahorses and pipefish. It is important that
blennies and mandarinfish are not harried by
their tankmates, because they will produce an
unpleasant, protective slime from their bodies to
deter assailants. Some blennies have evolved the
predatory trick of copying the appearance of
cleaner wrasse (see p.268) and then biting chunks
out of fish expecting to be cleaned.

The striking markings of the Mandarin Fish (Pterosynchiropus
splendidus) extend to its elaborate fins. Because of their patterning,
members of this group are also called psychedelic fish.

Pterosynchiropus splendidus Synchiropus picturatus Ecsenius bicolor
Mandarin Fish Spotted Mandarin Bicolor Blenny

ORIGINS The western Pacific region, off the coast of ORIGINS The western Pacific region, extending down to ORIGINS From the Maldives, in the Indo-Pacific, and
Southeast Asia and China, extending up to Japan. the northern coast of Australia. eastward to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
SIZE 2 ⁄2 in (6 cm). SIZE 2 ⁄4 in (7 cm). SIZE 4 in (10 cm).
1
3
DIET Live brine shrimp and thawed foods. DIET Live brine shrimp and thawed foods. DIET Small live foods and algae.
WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline
(pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024. (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024. (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024.
TEMPERAMENT Males are aggressive. TEMPERAMENT Males are aggressive. TEMPERAMENT Not aggressive to unrelated fish.
Elevated fin ray Wildly spotted body patterning distinguishes this
indicates a male Taller rear section
species. The spots are made up of concentric to dorsal fin
rings, set against a greenish background. As
they comb the algae-covered rocks, these fish
suck in tiny microbes, expelling particles of
mud via their gills. Keep the tank covered,
because it is not unknown for Mandarins to leap
out of the water. Aquarium spawnings are very
rare. The eggs develop near the water’s surface.
Golden-yellow near the tail
Be prepared to provide copious amounts The Bicolor Blenny is difficult to describe
of live foods if you choose Mandarin Fish. because its appearance differs not only between
They really need to be kept in well-established populations but also during the breeding period,
reef tanks so that they can forage for their natural when the males display a red-and-white barred
prey of small invertebrates. If housed together, patterning before turning blue with white flank
male Mandarin Fish are likely to fight, but males markings. The females are yellow. These blennies
can be identified easily, as they have an extended can be housed in a reef tank, where they will
fin ray at the front of the dorsal fin. No two browse on algae and will often be seen resting
individuals have matching body patterning. on top of a favored rocky outcrop.

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