Jewelled Blenny

Salarias fasciatus

Habitat & Distribution :  Indo-Pacific Ocean

Diet: Food scraps, carcasses, algae

Size: 14 cm

Lifespan: 2 - 5 years

Description

The Jewelled Blenny has a laterally flattened, elongated, and scaleless body. Colored olive green to brown with black stripes and white spots, this fish is camouflaged, blending in with its surroundings and can even change its color to hide from predators. 

Behavior

This fish is also called the 'lawnmower blenny' because it enjoys eating algae in aquariums. However, in the wild, it prefers to eat leftover food or detritus, with algae or plant debris making up only 15% of its total diet.

Reproduction

Jewelled blennies are oviparous, distinct pairing fish that reproduce by laying adhesive, demersal eggs in hidden crevices or empty shells

Communication & Perception

This communicates primarily through visual cues, territorial behaviors, and subtle color changes to interact with other fish and its environment.

Predators

Reef sharks, lionfish, groupers, barracuda, wrasses, scorpionfish