{"product_id":"tailspot-blenny-ecsenius-stigmatura-saltwater","title":"Tailspot Blenny (Ecsenius stigmatura)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E0F7FA;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eTailspot Blenny\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eEcsenius stigmatura\u003c\/em\u003e) packs an enormous amount of personality into about two and a half inches. It wears a soft tan body, a bright yellow ring around each eye, a thin orange dash across the cheek, and the crisp black teardrop at the base of the tail that gives the fish its name. Most of the day it sits propped on a rock like a tiny gargoyle, swiveling those big eyes to watch the room, then darts off to graze film algae before ducking back into a hole. Peaceful, reef safe, and genuinely beginner friendly, it is one of the best first blennies you can buy. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to round out the crew.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30 gallons or larger. It stays small, but it wants horizontal rock surface to patrol and an established film of algae to pick at.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRockwork:\u003c\/strong\u003e the single most important thing you can give it. Provide plenty of live rock with small holes and crevices it can back into. A Tailspot Blenny that has three or four favorite hidey holes settles in fast and spends far more time out in the open.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 78°F, pH 8.1 to 8.4, salinity 1.020 to 1.025. Hardy and forgiving once the tank is cycled and stable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e primarily an herbivore. It will graze film algae off rock and glass, but do not count on the tank alone to feed it. Offer dried seaweed several times a week using \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/tlf-seaveggies-green-seaweed\"\u003eSeaVeggies Green Seaweed\u003c\/a\u003e on a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/two-little-fishies-veggiemag-magnetic-seaweed-clip\"\u003emagnetic feeding clip\u003c\/a\u003e, plus a quality algae-based prepared food like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/vitalis-marine-grazing-pellets-saltwater-fish-food\"\u003eVitalis Marine Grazing Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e. A pinched, hollow belly behind the head is the warning sign of an underfed blenny.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLid:\u003c\/strong\u003e required. Blennies are curious, quick, and perfectly capable of shooting out of an open top or an unscreened overflow.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOne per tank:\u003c\/strong\u003e keep a single Tailspot unless the tank is very large with clearly separated rock structures. They do not tolerate other blennies of similar shape and size.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eEcsenius stigmatura\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eTailspot Blenny, Tail-spot Combtooth Blenny, Blackline Blenny\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 2.5 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e30 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 78°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1.020 to 1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eHerbivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eWestern Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean reefs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReef safe and peaceful with almost everything, which makes it an easy fit in a mixed community. It gets along well with the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocellaris-clownfish-amphiprion-ocellaris-saltwater\"\u003eOcellaris Clownfish\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/royal-gramma-gramma-loreto-saltwater\"\u003eRoyal Gramma\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/banggai-cardinal-pterapogon-kaudernii-saltwater-reef\"\u003eBanggai Cardinal\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-green-chromis-chromis-viridis-saltwater\"\u003eBlue Green Chromis\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/firefish-goby-nemateleotris-magnifica-saltwater\"\u003eFirefish Goby\u003c\/a\u003e. Corals, clams, and shrimp are safe with a well-fed individual. The one real rule is not to house it with another blenny of similar body shape, so pick either this fish or a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/midas-blenny-ecsenius-midas-saltwater-reef-safe\"\u003eMidas Blenny\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/lawnmower-blenny-salarias-fasciatus-saltwater\"\u003eLawnmower Blenny\u003c\/a\u003e rather than two at once. It also pairs nicely with a grazing cleanup crew such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/mexican-turbo-snail-turbo-fluctuosa-saltwater-reef\"\u003eMexican Turbo Snails\u003c\/a\u003e and an \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/emerald-crab-mithraculus-sculptus-saltwater-reef\"\u003eEmerald Crab\u003c\/a\u003e, since they work different algae than the blenny does. Avoid keeping it with large predators or aggressive triggers and hawkfish that would see a two inch fish as a snack.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/tlf-seaveggies-green-seaweed\"\u003eTwo Little Fishies SeaVeggies Green Seaweed\u003c\/a\u003e dried algae sheets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/two-little-fishies-veggiemag-magnetic-seaweed-clip\"\u003eTwo Little Fishies VeggieMag\u003c\/a\u003e magnetic seaweed clip\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/vitalis-marine-grazing-pellets-saltwater-fish-food\"\u003eVitalis Marine Grazing Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e slow-release grazing block\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocean-nutrition-spirulina-flake-food\"\u003eOcean Nutrition Spirulina Flake\u003c\/a\u003e for daily feedings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/piscine-energetics-pe-mysis\"\u003ePiscine Energetics PE Mysis\u003c\/a\u003e as an occasional protein treat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it clean all the algae out of my tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt will keep film algae grazed down on rock and glass, but it is a garnish, not a cleanup crew. It cannot touch hair algae or bubble algae the way a Lawnmower Blenny or an Emerald Crab can, and a tank scrubbed spotless will leave it hungry. Feed it directly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is it different from a Lawnmower Blenny?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSize and manners. A Lawnmower Blenny reaches five inches, needs a bigger tank, and has a habit of sitting on corals and blowing sand around. The Tailspot stays around two and a half inches, works the rock instead of the sandbed, and fits comfortably in a 30 gallon reef.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it safe with corals?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. A well-fed Tailspot ignores corals and clams entirely. The rare reports of nipping trace back to fish kept in bare tanks with nothing to graze, which is why the seaweed clip matters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMine hides constantly. Is something wrong?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlmost certainly not. New blennies spend the first week or two wedged in a rock hole, poking just their eyes out. Keep the tank calm, feed on a schedule, and it will start perching in the open within a few weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48587429347547,"sku":"FBTLA200AA-0","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_cef3a150-9f78-43aa-ba39-87e6e398fec4.jpg?v=1775937755","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/tailspot-blenny-ecsenius-stigmatura-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}