Overview
- Native to the Indo-Pacific, particularly in coral-rich environments.
- Distinguished by its intricate leopard-like pattern, aiding in camouflage.
- A specialized herbivore that relies heavily on coral polyps for nutrition.
- Prefers perching on live corals, maintaining a symbiotic relationship with reef ecosystems.
- Often observed displaying territorial behavior towards similar fish.
Feeding
- Strict diet of live coral polyps, making it challenging to keep in captivity.
- Rarely adapts to artificial foods, limiting its survival in aquariums.
- Best suited for advanced reef tanks with a sustainable coral population.
- Supplementary feeding methods are largely unsuccessful due to its dietary specialization.
- Reef aquarists must ensure a stable supply of coral for proper nourishment.
Habitat
- Thrives in coral reefs, particularly shallow areas with strong coral growth.
- Frequently seen resting on coral structures, blending into the surroundings.
- Requires stable water conditions with minimal fluctuations.
- Reef aquariums should mimic natural environments with live coral.
- Not recommended for fish-only setups due to its specialized needs.
Fish Care
- Ideal water temperature: 75-82°F (24-28°C).
- pH range: 8.1-8.4, with a specific gravity of 1.023-1.026.
- Highly sensitive to water quality changes; requires expert care.
- Not recommended for beginner aquarists due to feeding challenges.
- Maintaining high water quality is essential for its well-being.
Compatibility
- Best suited for peaceful reef tanks with minimal competition.
- Should not be housed with aggressive or territorial fish.
- Compatible with small reef-safe fish that do not compete for food.
- Can be territorial towards other blennies and similar species.
- Ideal tank mates include non-threatening reef inhabitants such as gobies and dartfish.
Aquarium Behavior
- Frequently perches on coral, showcasing camouflage abilities.
- Exhibits peaceful yet territorial behavior in reef tanks.
- Spends much of its time grazing on coral polyps.
- Highly dependent on coral for survival, making long-term captivity difficult.
- Prone to stress if placed in improper tank conditions.