Redsea Mimic Blenny (Red Sea)

Blennies are diminutive fish typically with elongated bodies, and as such we do not recommend any aggressive or large-mouthed fish to be kept with them; this includes all groupers, snappers, sweetlips, soapfish, lionfish, eels, goatfish, anglers/frogfish, leaf fish, and any other fish who may eat them.

The Redsea Mimic blenny is an uncommon and lovely little fish. It is a harmless and peaceful herbivore which has copied the coloration of the venomous Blackline Fang blenny. Fang blennies have a unique defense mechanism- if eaten by a larger fish they can use their venomous bite to injure the bigger animal and hope to be spit out. Predators will mistake the Redsea Mimic blenny for the Blackline Fang blenny and thus avoid eating it for fear of a painful bite. In order to make its act convincing the Redsea Mimic blenny also copies the swimming pattern of a fang blenny and spends much of its time out in the open.

The Redsea Mimic blenny has an elongated body which is pastel blue over the front half of its body and transitions to dusty yellow towards the tail. Across its eye and extending towards the tail is a thin black pencil line which contrasts beautifully with the bright body. The dorsal fin also has streaks of black. The easiest way to tell the mimic blenny apart from a fang blenny is that the mimic blenny has a flattened face. Males and females are visually identical. It grows up to 3 inches.

Diet should include plenty of marine algae and Spirulina, frozen Mysis shrimp, and other high quality meaty items. It is preferable to feed more than once a day. We recommend a mature aquarium of at least 20 gallons or larger. Live algae is an important source of food, and should be growing in the aquarium before the blenny is introduced.