Starry Blenny (Salarias Ramosus)

Care Level : Easy

Temperament : Peaceful

Color : White, Yellow

Diet : Herbivore

Reef Compatible : Yes

Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4

Max. Size : 5½"

Origin : Western Central Pacific

Family : Blenniidae

Minimum Tank Size : 30 gallons

Salarias Ramosus, the Starry Blenny, is a species of combtooth blenny from the Western Central Pacific. The Starry Blenny is also referred to as Snowflake Blenny. 

The Starry Blenny gets its name from its dark brown base color with multiple white to light blue dots over its entire body; they also have bushy cirri (whisker-like appendages) protruding from between their eyes, are equipped with combed teeth for algae grazing. 

They are a hardy and intelligent species that will add personality to any system along with the added benefit of controlling nuisance algae growth.

A well-established 30 gallon or larger aquarium with multiple swimming levels and plenty of rock is a suitable environment. Blennies sometimes dig and move rubble and other items.It tends to perch and hop from rock to rock looking for microalgae to graze on. Blennies are also known to be excellent jumpers, so a sealed and secure top is recommended for keeping them.

It is not usually aggressive unless the tank mates appear to have a similar shape as it does. It is best to house singly unless kept in a larger tank and the two are a mated pair. They are considered reef-safe, but when malnourished, they gnaw on the mantles of clams and LPS corals.

The Starry Blenny does best in well-established aquariums with large amounts of natural algae to feed on. The diet can be supplemented with vegetable matter, Spirulina, and herbivore preparations.

Size: Small: 1-1/2" to 2"; Medium: 2" to 3-1/4" Large: 3-1/4" to 4-1/2"