To Blenny or Not To Blenny

[Seafeather]

Good afternoon to all! I was wondering recently how everyone's experiences with a lawnmower blenny have been.

What tank size did you have? Did they keep the sand turned and relatively clean looking? Did they harass your other fish? Did you have to supplement feedings and how did you do it?

We're looking for something to help keep the diatoms and algae at bay in the sand bed and I had always heard of the lawnmower blenny and their benefits (and their goofy looking faces lol). We're also looking into getting an urchin to help keep the glass clean but am concerned for future corals.

 

[kingranch2003]

Good afternoon to all! I was wondering recently how everyone's experiences with a lawnmower blenny have been.

What tank size did you have? Did they keep the sand turned and relatively clean looking? Did they harass your other fish? Did you have to supplement feedings and how did you do it?

We're looking for something to help keep the diatoms and algae at bay in the sand bed and I had always heard of the lawnmower blenny and their benefits (and their goofy looking faces lol). We're also looking into getting an urchin to help keep the glass clean but am concerned for future corals.

Lawnmower blennies are excellent additions for a tank. Mine was a total goofball that got along with everyone and did pick at some nuisance algae. Id say a conch or two and some nassarius snails, would give you what you were looking for as far as keeping your sandbed clean.

 

[Kasrift]

Lawnmower blennies won't help much with sand turnover, but supposed to be good at picking at algae.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Good afternoon to all! I was wondering recently how everyone's experiences with a lawnmower blenny have been.

What tank size did you have? Did they keep the sand turned and relatively clean looking? Did they harass your other fish? Did you have to supplement feedings and how did you do it?

We're looking for something to help keep the diatoms and algae at bay in the sand bed and I had always heard of the lawnmower blenny and their benefits (and their goofy looking faces lol). We're also looking into getting an urchin to help keep the glass clean but am concerned for future corals.

For algae, a tail spot blenny will be a good worker. While a lawnmower needs and will consume algae, its a misconception that these guys are algae eaters and the trickiest part about keeping a blenny is making sure it gets enough to eat which you can tell by looking at the abdomen, which should be ball shaped. A thin blenny with a pinched in belly isn’t getting enough food.
Although this blenny needs algae to survive, its a belief that it can survive on algae alone and actually need to pound and gnaw on coral, ingest detritus and waste from the coral which includes coral skeleton, sand, gravel, and for meats - fish eggs and tiny chopped foods.
If a blenny is not getting enough calcium carbonate in its diet, it will rapidly deteriorate.

 

[Seafeather]

Good afternoon to all! I was wondering recently how everyone's experiences with a lawnmower blenny have been.

What tank size did you have? Did they keep the sand turned and relatively clean looking? Did they harass your other fish? Did you have to supplement feedings and how did you do it?

We're looking for something to help keep the diatoms and algae at bay in the sand bed and I had always heard of the lawnmower blenny and their benefits (and their goofy looking faces lol). We're also looking into getting an urchin to help keep the glass clean but am concerned for future corals.

Lawnmower blennies are excellent additions for a tank. Mine was a total goofball that got along with everyone and did pick at some nuisance algae. Id say a conch or two and some nassarius snails, would give you what you were looking for as far as keeping your sandbed clean.

I haven't looked into conches! I'll have to give them some research!

 

[Seafeather]

Lawnmower blennies won't help much with sand turnover, but supposed to be good at picking at algae.

Odd! I thought I'd heard they help with it. I'm assuming that hasnt been the case for you?

 

[Seafeather]

Good afternoon to all! I was wondering recently how everyone's experiences with a lawnmower blenny have been.

What tank size did you have? Did they keep the sand turned and relatively clean looking? Did they harass your other fish? Did you have to supplement feedings and how did you do it?

We're looking for something to help keep the diatoms and algae at bay in the sand bed and I had always heard of the lawnmower blenny and their benefits (and their goofy looking faces lol). We're also looking into getting an urchin to help keep the glass clean but am concerned for future corals.

For algae, a tail spot blenny will be a good worker. While a lawnmower needs and will consume algae, its a misconception that these guys are algae eaters and the trickiest part about keeping a blenny is making sure it gets enough to eat which you can tell by looking at the abdomen, which should be ball shaped. A thin blenny with a pinched in belly isn’t getting enough food.
Although this blenny needs algae to survive, its a belief that it can survive on algae alone and actually need to pound and gnaw on coral, ingest detritus and waste from the coral which includes coral skeleton, sand, gravel, and for meats - fish eggs and tiny chopped foods.
If a blenny is not getting enough calcium carbonate in its diet, it will rapidly deteriorate.

So much good info! Thank you! I was concerned about the algae not being enough for their diet and to be healthy. We want healthy happy fish! :)

 

[Kasrift]

Odd! I thought I'd heard they help with it. I'm assuming that hasnt been the case for you?

I have had one. You want a sand sifting goby if you want to help with that.

I have a starry blenny, which is similar but much less likely to eat algae. Mine's a pig, but gave up on the algae pecking ages ago.

 

[kingranch2003]

I haven't looked into conches! I'll have to give them some research!

By far the best sandbed stirrer in my tank. You could get a fighting conch or a strawberry conch depending on your tank size. I also like their demeanor lol

 

[Seafeather]

Ah maybe a goby is what i need then. Did you enjoy your blenny even though he was a lil pig? Lol

 

[Seafeather]

I haven't looked into conches! I'll have to give them some research!

By far the best sandbed stirrer in my tank. You could get a fighting conch or a strawberry conch depending on your tank size. I also like their demeanor lol

Then im definitely gonna have to look into them!