Salarias fasciatus

(Bloch, 1786)

Lawnmower Blenny, Jeweled Blenny

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa, north to Southern Japan, and south to the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia.

Size: 5 inches (14 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits areas containing algae covered rocks along coastal waters and usually found between depths of 3 – 25 feet (1 – 8 m) where it mainly feeds upon filamentous algae, diatoms, tiny crustaceans, and detritus.

General Husbandry: Common in the trade, having a mottled light brown body, blunt head and large eyes.

Can be maintained in reef or fish-only aquariums having rocky areas with caves to hide/explore, and if feasible, containing heavy growths of algae to feed upon.

Tankmates must be at least moderately aggressive, as those in this genus are somewhat feisty/aggressive.

Requires a diet high in vegetable matter, and if sufficient aquarium algae is not present, its diet must be supplemented with vegetable matter including frozen and dried foods containing ‘marine’ algae and especially Spirulina algae. It should be fed as often as necessary to maintain its health.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Blennioidei

Family: Blenniidae

Genus: Salarias

FYI: May nip coral polyps and clam mantles and eat small snails and ornamental shrimp.

Aggressive towards other herbivores in the aquarium and smaller fishes.

Unless there is a sufficient amount of greens this fish will slowly waste away.

One per aquarium.

Will consume cyanobacteria/slime algae and other types of microalgae.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Diet: Herbivore

Coral Safe: With caution

Fish Safe: With caution

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Larger and those that are not herbivores

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 – 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5