Tailspot Blenny

The Tailspot Blenny (Ecsenius stigmatura) is one of the best nano‑reef utility fish—tiny, peaceful, algae‑grazing, and full of personality. It’s a hardy, beginner‑friendly species that thrives in tanks as small as 10 gallons and quickly becomes a customer favorite thanks to its expressive “eyeliner” markings and signature tail spot. 🐟 Identity & Key Facts • Scientific name: Ecsenius stigmatura • Common names: Tailspot Blenny, Tail‑spot Combtooth Blenny, Tailspot Coralblenny • Adult size: 2–2.5 inches (5–6 cm) • Lifespan: 2–5 years • Distribution: Western Pacific — Philippines, Indonesia, PNG, Solomon Islands • Care level: Easy / Beginner-friendly 🎨 Appearance • Slender tan‑olive body with subtle vertical banding. • Distinct black tail spot at the caudal peduncle (namesake feature). • Thin black “eyeliner” streaks radiating from the eyes. • Yellow wash on the head and front third of the body; colors intensify with good diet and low stress. 🌍 Natural Habitat • Shallow coral reefs, rocky crevices, and branching coral structures. • Depth range: 3–65 ft (approx.) • Perching species—spends most of its time sitting on rock ledges and darting into holes. 🧠 Behavior & Temperament • Peaceful, excellent community fish. • Comical, curious “gargoyle‑like” perching behavior. • May show mild territoriality toward other blennies or similar-shaped algae grazers, especially in small tanks. • Reef‑safe, though rare reports note occasional clam nipping. • Jumper — requires a tight lid. 🏡 Aquarium Requirements • Minimum tank size: • 10 gallons for a single specimen (nano reef ideal). • 20+ gallons if mixing with other blennies. • Rockwork: Essential — provides grazing surfaces and bolt holes. • Substrate: Sand or fine gravel preferred; avoid bare-bottom tanks (reduces grazing area). • Water parameters: • Temp: 75–82°F (24–28°C) • Salinity: 1.020–1.025 • pH: 8.1–8.4 🍽️ Diet Herbivore / algae grazer • Constantly grazes film algae and microalgae on rock. • Accepts prepared foods: • Spirulina-based flakes • Nori/seaweed sheets • Algae-rich pellets • Occasional small crustaceans (mysis, artemia) for variety • Needs consistent algae availability to maintain immune health. 🪸 Compatibility • Excellent with peaceful reef fish: clownfish, gobies, cardinals, small wrasses. • Avoid: • Larger aggressive species (dottybacks, hawkfish). • Other algae-grazing blennies in small tanks (territorial overlap). • Safe with shrimp and snails. 🧪 Breeding • Not commonly captive-bred; limited documentation. • Likely oviparous with males guarding eggs (inferred from genus behavior).