Please Note: Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimen.
Sailfin/Algae Blenny
(Salarias fasciatus)
Additional locales and sizes may be available!
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Quick Stats
Care Level
Easy, Moderate
Temperament
Peaceful
Color Form
Assorted, Green, Tan
Diet
Herbivore
Reef Compatible
Yes
Water Conditions
sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size
5"
Origin
Fiji, Indonesia, Solomon Islands
Family
Blenniidae
Minimum Tank Size
30 gallons
Compatibility
View Chart
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Overview
The Sailfin/Algae Blenny is notable for its unique looks and winning personality. With a mottled tan color, oversized eyes, and typical body shape of the Blenniidae family, Salarias fasciatus adds visual appeal to any marine aquarium. But despite its tendency to grow to an impressive 5" in size in the home aquarium, the Sailfin/Algae Blenny remains peaceful, active and, therefore, fun to observe.
Also referred to as the Jewelled Rockskipper, Lawnmower, or Rock Blenny, the Sailfin/Algae Blenny is native to the reefs across the Indo-Pacific. Like other Blennies, the Sailfin/Algae Blenny will perch on live rock, hide in caves, hop across the substrate, and graze on microalgae. Therefore, it requires a larger system with a variety of live rock and rockwork.
The Sailfin/Algae Blenny is peaceful towards other fish unless the tank mate is similar in shape or appearance to the blenny. It is best to house the Sailfin/Algae Blenny singly unless kept in a larger aquarium and the two are a mated pair. It is known to nip at small-polyped stony coral and clam mantles.
The Sailfin/Algae Blenny does best in well-established aquariums with large amounts of natural algae to feed on. The diet can be supplemented with vegetable matter, spirulina, and herbivore preparations.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1" to 1-1/2"; Medium: 1-1/2" to 2-1/2"; Large: 2-1/2" to 3-1/2"; XLarge: 3-1/2" to 5"
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Customer Testimonials
Regina C
Rosalindale , ME
Great fish - my algae blenny is awesome to watch and has a lot of personality! It lightens and darkens color based on the substrate it is over and at certain times of year it's blue spots are really striking. When I first got it, the blenny fed impressively on walls of the tank, but now it rarely eats from the walls - preferring food flakes, even an omnivore frozen prep and supplemented algae. Not sure what caused the switch... I didn't supplement until I noticed it wasn't eating from the walls. I was also worried that its large size 2-3 inches would make it a tank bully, but he is very peaceful albeit active.
Brandon D
North Miami Beach , FL
I keep 5 (1 inch to 3 inches in length) in my 55-gallon aquarium for detritus removal. They do require algae to feed on but will eat meaty preparations (or whatever the eel leaves behind). They are very animated fish and are a good choice for large community tanks.
Richard L
Corpus Christi , TX
Always seems to be eating, and very animated. He is neat to watch, and isn't scared of anything or anyone. I get a lot of comments on how unusual he is.
Robert M
Roseland , NJ
Lives up to his nickname of "Lawnmower." I keep a large one in my 110-gallon aquarium and he does an awesome job of keeping the rocks clean. He even cleans the filter intakes! A voracious eater and very interesting to watch.
Ken S
Vancouver , WA
Talk about an awesome fish! This is it. While not dazzling in its coloration, it more than makes up for any lack of color with its almost dog-like personality. Up close it truly is a very nicely colored fish with its pale blue dots. Plus it will lighten and darken its color depending on the color of rock or sand it's sitting on. And sit they will, propped up on one flipper like a hand. Draped over the thermometer, or straight up on top of the highest piece of rock. This was my very first fish and it's by far my very favorite, even though I have angels, tangs, anthias, etc. I highly recommend this fish - the "lawn mower blenny."
W.T
New York , NY
In addition to the other comments, which I agree with, I'd like to add that the algae blenny is the smartest fish I've ever had. The dog-like comparison above is true. Before mine sadly died of old age, he used to patiently observe the various goings on outside of the tank. He would also land on my slightly cupped hand to feed if I wanted him to. Great fish. I miss him!
Nathan K
Charles Town , WV
Great fish! He was shy and hid a lot the first few days but now he is wandering around the tank chomping on algae. He likes to have hiding spaces so make sure you have some "caves" in your live rock.
Kristy S
Martinsburg , WV
This is a very entertaining fish. He sits on the rocks and stares directly at you when you approach the tank. He went right to work cleaning my tank after introduction. He eats algae directly off the walls, rocks and crushed coral substrate. A great fish. He even "cuddles" with my Blue Tang which sits on him regularly.
Chris G
Scarsdale , NY
BEST BLENNY EVER!!!!! he has alot of personality and is super intresting to watch. When i feed my other fish, I put soem nori on a veggie clip. Him and my Scopas tang go to town on that. reccomend this fish to anyone who wants a intresting fish who will take care of algae as well.
Cole A
Toluca , IL
This is a great fish. good for keeping that unwanted algae down. He has made his owen cave under one of the peices of live rock and he's very territorial over that small section of the tank
Brenna E
Belgrade , MT
I recieved my Blenny about a week ago. He hid for the first two days then started appearing. He is SO COOL!! I love to watch him "hop" and eat. So much personality in such a little package. Love love love him! Would highly recommend this little guy to anyone!!
John B.
Cortland , NY
I ordered a "medium", what I got was WAY larger than I anticipated. Settled in nicely after I drip acclimated it. Very happy I chose LiveAquaria for this purchase.
John B
Plymouth , MN
Very nice little fish, always is going around eating algae, even a little hair algae but that stopped in about 2 weeks and just is grazing on the walls. I recommend this fish to anyone who has the right conditions. Some say he is ugly but still a very lovable fish.
Chris R
Wheeling , WV
mine chomped away all the algae in my 28g Nano-Cube within two days of his(or her?) arrival. i tried supplementing his diet with a few different types of little sinking algae disc things and some of the flat paper like-stuff stuck to a feeding clip(which was recommended by the LFS), he ignored all of it with one exception: ONCE i saw him suck in a piece of frozen Mysis during feeding and then immediately spit it out. i dropped in a disc next and he nipped at it a few times but wasn't taking "bites" that were visible. the next day he started sucking in Mysis left and right, and has been a carnivore for the last ten days or so. he may also be eating algae, but my glass is filthy so im sticking with the mysis and adding more snails to take care of the glass.
Tracey Tullis
Tyle , TX
When my blenny first arrived I was very happy with him. He seemed to be doing great until I introduced a Lettuce Sea slug and he became upset swimming up and down the glass. Open top Waterbox not good choice for him as the second time he jumped out was his demise. Not suppose to be a jumper. Just FYI.
Ted B
Houston , TX
Just got my first one a few weeks ago and definitely will not be the last! I previously had a problem with hair algae, no matter what I did, it still grew on a particular piece of live rock. After two days, not a trace was left!!! Now he has cleaned off all the intakes and power heads, and works on the glass in the hard to reach areas. I love this fish and it is very entertaining the way it seems to watch me as I watch him.
David W
Tampa , FL
It's fun to watch plus eats all the algae on the glassed and rock work. Only complaint is it isn't the prettiest fish out there. But it is still a cool entertaining fish that is usually in the open.
Peter S
Chicago , IL
Great fish for the beginner or expert saltwater aquarist! I love its personality and cleaning skills! Mine started to eat and swim almost as soon as it was introduced. They eat endlessly and like to dodge in and out of holes/caves. Extremely animated fish, and a great buy!
Joseph S
Waco , TX
Very cool fish. He is my favorite fish in the blenny species. He is very active and always eating my algae and is very fun to watch.
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