The Lawnmower Blenny (Salarias fasciatus) — also known as the Jeweled Rockskipper, Sailfin Blenny, or Algae Blenny — is one of the most useful and entertaining fish in the marine aquarium hobby. Named for its insatiable appetite for nuisance algae, this hardworking little fish patrols the rockwork and glass all day long, grazing on hair algae, film algae, and diatoms with a constant nibbling motion that genuinely resembles a lawnmower at work. Beyond its functional value as a natural algae control, the Lawnmower Blenny is bursting with personality. Its mottled tan and brown body provides excellent camouflage, while its frog-like face, oversized eyes that swivel independently, and feathery cirri above the eyes give it a comically expressive appearance. They perch on rocks, peek out from caves, and "skip" from one vantage point to another, making them a constant source of entertainment for hobbyists. Lawnmower Blennies are reef safe and peaceful with nearly all tankmates, though they may squabble with other blennies or bottom-dwelling fish that occupy similar territory. They require a well-established aquarium with mature live rock and a healthy growth of microalgae to graze on — placing one in a brand-new system or a tank without algae will lead to slow starvation. Supplement their diet with dried marine algae (nori) clipped to the glass, spirulina-enriched pellets, and occasional mysis to keep them well-fed once the natural algae supply runs low. A 30-gallon minimum with plenty of rockwork is ideal. At Ocean To You, every fish is quarantined and observed before sale. We don't sell sick fish.
