Midas Blenny (Ecsenius Midas)
Species Name : Ecsenius Midas
Care Level : Easy
Temperament : Peaceful
Color : Yellow, Blue
Diet : Omnivore
Reef Compatible : Yes
Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size : 6"
Origin : Africa, Red Sea
Family : Blenniidae
Minimum Tank Size : 30 gallons
Midas Blenny (Ecsenius Midas), known commonly as the Persian Blenny, Lyretail Blenny or Golden Blenny, is a species of marine fish in the family Blenniidae.
The Midas Blenny has the typical characteristics of a combtooth blenny: the comb-like teeth from which their name is derived, a blunt face, and large eyes. The Midas Blenny is usually a golden yellow color but they can change and darken their color when frightened or stressed. When stressed the Midas Blenny will form dark grey or purple lines on it's face.
The Midas Blenny is an excellent candidate for a reef tank. This blenny will appreciate a minimum tank of 30 gallons or larger with numerous rocks on which to perch. Blennies are known for their incredible jumping abilities, so having a tightly secured lid is suggested. You can also add live sand to boost the possible nutrients for your blenny. And since the Midas Blenny uses caves for sleeping – rather than diving into sand – you don’t need to worry about a deep sand bed.
It is a peaceful community saltwater fish that does tend to be compatible with most of the other tropical reef saltwater fish. Sometimes, the Midas Blenny will vex small planktivores and has been known to nip at firefish and gobies. Midas Blennies DON’T get along with each other. Larger tanks are advantageous as many of the Midas Blenny's aggressive behavior traits seem to relate to a confining tank situation. Ecsenius Midas is reef safe and will not harm your corals or other invertebrates.
The Midas Blenny is an omnivore, which means it needs both meaty and plant-based foods in its diet to remain healthy, which is different from many of the other blennies, which often eat predominantly plant-based foods. Feed your Midas Blenny a few times a day with brine shrimp, mysid shrimp, chopped up clams or mussels, and algae-based foods containing spirulina or other herbivorous foods.
Size: Small: 1" to 2"; Medium: 2" to 3"; Large: 3" to 4"; X Large 4" to 6"