Lawnmower Blenny

The Lawnmower Blenny, *Salarias fasciatus*, is a popular and beneficial addition to the saltwater aquarium, known for its voracious appetite for nuisance algae. This blenny is typically mottled brown and tan, providing excellent camouflage among live rock. Its large eyes are set high on its head, and it uses its pectoral fins to “walk” along surfaces.

A minimum tank size of 30 gallons is recommended for the Lawnmower Blenny. The aquarium should be well-established with plenty of live rock to provide ample grazing surfaces and hiding places. While generally peaceful, they can be territorial towards other blennies or fish with similar body shapes and diets, especially in smaller tanks. They are considered reef safe, as their primary diet is algae, and they typically do not bother corals or invertebrates.

In the aquarium, the Lawnmower Blenny’s diet should primarily consist of the algae naturally growing on live rock and tank surfaces. If algae growth is insufficient, supplemental feedings of dried marine algae, spirulina flakes, or blenny-specific frozen foods are necessary. They are excellent at controlling hair algae and other undesirable algal blooms.

Lawnmower Blennies can reach a size of up to 5 inches in the aquarium. There are no readily apparent visual differences between males and females. Breeding in captivity is extremely difficult and rarely achieved by hobbyists.