- Sku:
- Vendor: Squeaky's Aquatics
Starry Blenny (Salarias ramosus)
The Starry Blenny (Salarias ramosus) is a characterful algae grazer dressed in dark brown and freckled head to tail with pale blue-white stars. It perches on the rockwork on its front fins, swivels its big frog-like eyes to track the room, then hops from spot to spot mowing film algae as it goes. Hardy, endlessly entertaining, and one of the better natural answers to a hair algae problem. Browse the rest of our saltwater livestock and supplies to build the tank around it.
Care Guide
- It eats algae, so it needs algae. A Starry Blenny grazes film and hair algae off the rocks and glass, but a clean tank will not feed it for long. Supplement with dried seaweed on a VeggieMag clip and an algae based pellet, or it will slowly lose weight.
- Tank size: 30 gallons or larger with mature live rock. Grazing surface matters more than swimming room.
- Perches and hides: give it ledges, holes, and overhangs. A blenny with a home base sits out in the open and grazes confidently. One with no cover hides.
- Water parameters: 72 to 78°F, pH 8.1 to 8.4, salinity 1.020 to 1.025. Undemanding once settled.
- Feeding: herbivore first. Dried seaweed, marine algae, Hikari Seaweed Extreme, and Vitalis Grazing Pellets keep it fed once the natural algae runs low.
- Lid: recommended, as with any bold perching fish that darts when startled.
Specifications
| Scientific name | Salarias ramosus |
| Common names | Starry Blenny, Snowflake Blenny |
| Family | Blenniidae, the combtooth blennies |
| Care level | Beginner |
| Temperament | Peaceful, territorial only toward other blennies |
| Reef safe | Yes, with caution. A hungry one may nip clam mantles or LPS |
| Max size | About 5.5 inches |
| Current size | Medium |
| Minimum tank | 30 gallons |
| Temperature | 72 to 78°F |
| Salinity | 1.020 to 1.025 |
| Diet | Herbivore, grazes algae and needs supplemental greens |
| Origin | Western Pacific reefs |
| Pickup | In-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics |
Compatibility
Peaceful with the general community and reef safe with the usual caveat for grazing blennies. Good tank mates include the Premium Picasso Clownfish, Banggai Cardinalfish, Royal Gramma, Naoko's Fairy Wrasse, and Flame Hawkfish. Inverts including the Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp are safe.
One blenny per tank. Starry Blennies squabble with other algae blennies over grazing turf. Our Lawnmower Blenny, Bicolor Blenny, Tailspot Blenny, and Midas Blenny are alternatives to this one, not additions to it.
The coral caveat. Usually a model reef citizen, but an underfed Starry may sample clam mantles or fleshy LPS. Keep it well fed on greens and the risk stays low.
Recommended Foods & Supplies
- Two Little Fishies SeaVeggies Green Seaweed with a VeggieMag clip
- Ocean Nutrition Green Marine Algae
- Hikari Seaweed Extreme
- Vitalis Marine Grazing Pellets
FAQ
Will it clear my hair algae?
It is one of the better fish for the job and grazes constantly, but it is not a substitute for fixing the nutrients feeding the algae. Think of it as steady maintenance, not a cure.
Mine looks pale and blotchy. Is it sick?
Probably not. Blennies shift color with mood and when they sleep, going lighter and mottled, then snapping back. A new arrival often shows a stress pattern for a day or two.
Why does it perch instead of swim?
That is exactly what a healthy blenny does. It props on its pelvic fins, watches, and hops between grazing spots. Constant perching is normal behavior, not a problem.
Is it safe with my corals?
For the large majority, yes. The exceptions are clam mantles and fleshy LPS, which a small number of individuals sample when hungry. Plenty of greens keeps it honest.
Have a question?
Starry Blenny (Salarias ramosus)
