Lawnmower Blenny (Salarias Fasciatus)

The Lawnmower Blenny, also known as the Jeweled Blenny or Algae Blenny, is a hardworking and unique fish known for its ability to control algae growth in marine tanks. With its distinctive appearance—featuring mottled brown, tan, and white colors, and its amusing personality—this blenny is a favorite among aquarists. Its constant grazing on algae makes it an excellent addition to the tank's cleanup crew, particularly for those struggling with hair algae.

Care Information

• Maximum Size: Up to 5 inches.
• Tank Size: 30 gallons minimum; larger tanks with plenty of live rock and algae are ideal for supporting this blenny's grazing habits.
• Diet: Herbivorous; primarily feeds on algae found on live rock, glass, and other surfaces. Supplemental feedings of algae wafers, marine-based seaweed, and high-quality herbivore pellets will help maintain its health if algae becomes scarce.
• Water Temp: 74-78°F.
• Salinity: 1.020-1.025.
• Aggression: Generally peaceful, though it may show territorial behavior towards other blennies or similarly shaped fish, especially in smaller tanks. Best kept with peaceful tankmates.
• Skill Level: Beginner; hardy and easy to care for, making it suitable for aquarists of all experience levels.
• Reef Compatibility: Reef-safe; does not harm corals or invertebrates, and is beneficial for controlling nuisance algae growth in reef tanks.

Special Feature - Algae Grazer
The Lawnmower Blenny is an excellent natural algae grazer, feeding on various forms of algae, including hair algae and film algae. Its constant grazing helps maintain a clean and balanced tank environment. While it primarily feeds on algae, it is important to provide supplemental food if algae levels decrease in the tank.

Compatibility
The Lawnmower Blenny is peaceful and generally gets along with other fish, though it can be territorial towards other blennies or fish with similar body shapes. It thrives in tanks with plenty of live rock for grazing and hiding.

Coloration

• Indo-Pacific Region: The Lawnmower Blenny has a mottled brown, tan, and white coloration that provides excellent camouflage against rocks and algae-covered surfaces. Its distinctive appearance, along with its amusing facial expressions and behaviors, makes it a fun and functional addition to any marine tank​.

Typical Habitat

• Distribution: The Lawnmower Blenny is found in the shallow waters of the Indo-Pacific, particularly around coral reefs and rocky environments. It prefers areas with abundant algae, where it can graze throughout the day​.