Ecsenius bicolor
The Bicolor Blenny, *Ecsenius bicolor*, is a captivating and active addition to the home aquarium. This small blenny is easily recognized by its striking coloration: the anterior half of its body is typically a vibrant orange or reddish-brown, transitioning sharply to a dark brown or black on the posterior half, including the tail fin. Some individuals may display a more uniform dark coloration with only a hint of the lighter anterior.
A minimum tank size of 20 gallons is recommended for the Bicolor Blenny. Provide plenty of live rock with numerous crevices and hiding places, as these blennies are known for their perching behavior and will spend much of their time darting in and out of their chosen spots. They are generally peaceful towards other fish, but can be territorial towards conspecifics or other blennies, especially in smaller tanks.
In the aquarium, the Bicolor Blenny will typically reach a size of approximately 4 inches. They are primarily herbivores and omnivores, and their diet should consist of a variety of foods including marine algae, spirulina, and high-quality blenny or herbivore preparations. They will also readily accept small meaty foods such as mysis shrimp and enriched brine shrimp.
Breeding in the home aquarium is not common. There are no readily apparent visual differences between males and females. The Bicolor Blenny is considered reef safe, as it typically does not bother corals or other invertebrates.