Fat lawnmower has critters in his tummy...  4/19/08
Hello again!
<Dana>
You all were so helpful with my last predicament, I thought of coming to this site again first for some more info!
I have checked out the disease pages, especially on parasites and I am trying to decide if my lawnmower blenny has tape worms or if these are just the copepods he munches on along with the algae! Watching these things 'swim' around in his tummy made me think, ooh, babies! But, no, they're egg layers so, now I'm a little concerned. He is acting very normal and healthy, eats like a horse, just never noticed the movement inside his tummy till just now, any ideas? These 'things in question' look dark in color and maybe a few centimeters long, about the size of a copepod,
<... cm.s, not mm.s?>
have I answered my own question?!
Thanks again!
Dana
<Mmm, have never heard, seen such... a size/shape parasite... that would be moving about here... Perhaps a picture? Bob Fenner>

Lawnmower Blenny... beh./hlth.  03/06/2008
Hello
<<Hello, Andrew today>>
I have a 55 gallon tank i thought i had enough algae in it so i got a lawnmower blenny, but now his mouth is open and he seems to be breathing fast i have heard it has something to do with him not getting enough to eat.
<<Quite possible>>
But i wasn't sure so i tried feeding him two different things out of my frozen multipack and putting some of the sheet algae but he isn't interested in it i was wondering if you had any suggestions?
<<You could try feeding the blenny on other herbivore based feeds like Spirulina, had personal joy with marine algae pellets and wafers ( the sinking variety )>>
<<Hope this helps. A Nixon>>

Lawnmower blenny; rock beauty... hlth.   2/4/08
Good morning to all, your thoughts would be much appreciated: I have a rock beauty which I obtained (rescued) at about 1"; he eats well and a year or so later is about 3";
<Commendable>
for the past week or so, he has been holding one gill cover out significantly, kind of the way one would expect if a cleaner was being solicited; but this is constant, respiration is normal, as are his routine and feeding; no evidence of any injury or any parasite that I can see; he is in a FOWLR without any cleaner wrasse or goby (I haven't seen a healthy cleaner wrasse for sale for years). Thoughts?
<Sometimes... fishes, pomacanthids do this>
Secondly, I purchased a lawnmower blenny who over the course of a month eliminated 95% of the filamentous green algae in the tank; however, he is now losing weight and isn't interested in flakes, dried algaes or any of the usual carnivore items. Ideas? Thanks, Steve.
<May be internally parasitized... perhaps the algae, though goodly in quantity is insufficient nutritionally... I'd likely supplement the food... try Spectrum pellets... If it continues to lose weight, a treatment, serially or concomitantly with a protozoacide (e.g. Metronidazole) and a vermifuge (e.g. Prazi-)... All covered on WWM. Bob Fenner>

Lawnmower Blenny Quarantine 01/23/2008
Greetings,
<<Hello, Andrew here>>
Great informative website. I read it daily.
<<Thank you>>
Just a quick question regarding quarantine for a Lawnmower Blenny. I always quarantine my fish for 3 weeks. Although my newly acquired blenny is active (he even tries to jump out of the tank every time I remove the cover for feeding), I am concerned that the blenny is not adapting well in my bare bottom quarantine tank. I would like to move him as soon as possible to my display tank so he/she can feed on the algae and interact with the live rock and sand.
<<Yes, the blenny will not adapt well to the bare bottom of a quarantine tank. However, quarantine should not stopped because of this fact. Quarantining is a must with all fish and should be carried out. The fish will soon settle when it gets added to the aquarium. Provide a good algae diet for the blenny while it runs through this period>>
He has been in quarantine for 8 days and shows no signs of ich or other diseases. Should I stick to the 3 week quarantine or could (should) I move him sooner?
<<As above, stick to your normal quarantine process>>
Thanks. Mark Hill
<<Thanks for the questions. A Nixon>>

Bloated and gasping Lawnmower Blenny   8/22/07
Hey guys:) Here's my question. I have a lawnmower blenny who has been resting in a hospital tank for the last week. He is sickly bloated, still. I put him in the hospital tank because his breathing was so rapid he seemed like he was gasping for air and about to pass out and die. I thought it might be parasites invading his gills, his outer body seemed normal, nothing that I could see other than his breathing, so I gave him a 5 day tetracycline bath along with AP Pro 'quick cure' for possible parasites.
<Mmmm>
Temp is about 82* in the tank. His breathing, although very calm - meaning it's still rapid,
<These blennies are "fast breathers"... can you state about how many gill movements per minute? A good approximation can be made with an assistant watching a time piece, and you tapping a pencil on a piece of paper per movement...>
but at this point seems more like a nervous twitch than a breathing problem, and very bloated belly, worry me. My main tank is very healthy. No problems with the rest of my fish. Got any ideas?
Ringo Gene
<SLOW the feeding of this animal WAY down... Perhaps administer Epsom Salt (see WWM re... the search tool...). Time, patience otherwise. Bob Fenner>

Re: Bloated and gasping Lawnmower Blenny  8/23/07
Hey Bob, thanks for your reply. ... My Lawnmower didn't make it through the night. He must've had a bad infection?
<Maybe...>
He got so bloated in the last few days. This infection must have been around, slowly progressing, for the last 5 to 6 weeks. I contacted you about his fat belly around five weeks ago. His breathing seemed normal at that time, it was his big belly I was worried about. (I found out a little to late that I could purchase medicated frozen food from an LFS, whom I contacted yesterday. He seemed to think it was an infection in his belly. Wish I had time to get you the info on breaths per minute you requested. Can you recommend a good 'symptoms and cures' book I should own? Maybe yours? Read somewhere you have a book out.
<Microcosm/TFH is coming out with a new one soon that's supposed to be very nice... my fave as a stand-alone is Ed Noga, Fish Disease, Diagnosis and Treatment... but it's pricey... and not very hobby-user-friendly...>
PS You replied <Hmmm> when I mentioned the medication. I was told to treat the fish in this manner by 2 LFS's. Should I have done this?
<Not what I would advise, no>
They seem to know how to 'buy, sell and raise fish', but there medical skills... We need a fish medic. Someone could make a good living in Los Angeles should they open a 'LF Clinic'.
A sad day for me,
Ringo Gene - not a Beetle:)
<Heeee! Nor a Beatle? My fave all time musical group! BobF>

Re: Bloated and gasping Lawnmower Blenny   8/24/07
Yeah, Beatle. Ha! Anyway, as far as the medication, what would you have advised for this situation? Would sure help me in the future.
Ringo - Parents were, ...on something:)
<Fab, gear... hard to type with all these rings on me fingers... Perhaps administration of a modicum of Epsom Salt... see WWM re. BobF>

Ailing Lawnmower Blenny
Good morning one and all.
I have a quick question regarding my Lawnmower Blenny. He started off looking good and fat and is now slowly becoming more thin. There is still a predominance of hair algae in the tank that he takes no notice off but instead tries to eat the glass of the tank. What supplements can I give him in order to get him fat and healthy again? He ignores the Nori and the Dulse that I use to feed the tang.
<Very bad sign>
All tank parameters are great and everyone else is healthy, the corals are flourishing. Now I just need to get him back up to speed. Any suggestions would be great.
Cheers.
Julian Hunt
<Of the major categories of probable cause here I'd discount bullying, environmental pollution effects... and suggest that "something" internal is at play... gut blockage from swallowing "something", perhaps a developmental/genetic anomaly, more likely an internal parasite of some sort. You can either "wait this out" hoping the animal may spontaneously cure of its own (they get thin quite quickly, and can perish in days to weeks w/o food), or try force-feeding the Blenny with an anti-parasitic compound or mix (I suggest food laced with Metronidazole)... in a quarantine system. Bob Fenner>

Chubby Salarias (Algae Eating Blenny)
Bob,
While reading your newest faq page today (a daily ritual...just hope the boss doesn't see!) 
<Yikes, me neither>
I read a question from someone that was worried about a chubby Salarias, and would like to relate a recent experience I had with a lawnmower blenny.
<Ah, great... can barely wait till we have somewhat of a "forum" for folks to do this interchange>
I had an outbreak of ich in my 72 gal in which I lost a couple of fish, including a lawnmower blenny. I treated my tank and was able to save 3 fish, much thanks to you on your help with that situation. After all had settled down I ordered another Salarias from FFExpress, and it arrived healthy and happy and went to work eating off the live rock. Within the first two weeks I noticed he was FAT...this little fishes belly was so bulged he could barely perch on his fins without his gut hitting bottom. Yet he continued to eat and eat and eat. A month after adding the fish I added a small flame angel that also spends a great deal of time picking off the live rock, but also eats flake and frozen food very well. Then, 3 weeks ago I added a 3" yellow tang, that eats a little flake food but spends most of the time grazing.
<Okay>
Over the last 3 weeks I noticed the Salarias getting thinner and thinner, yet he was still munching on the live rock. Unfortunately when I came into the office yesterday after the weekend he was laying on his side and breathing rapidly and was dead by the end of the day. Despite the 60+ pounds of live rock, did the angel, tang and blenny simply not have enough grazing food?? Or did the blenny eat himself out of food his first month? ( I can't stress how fat this fish was!) In all he only lasted about 10 weeks in the tank.
<All of this is possible... My "standard" statement is not to place a Salarias fasciatus in anything smaller than a sixty, with plenty of healthy, established live rock... and not to have too many competitors for the filamentous algae to be cropped there... Sometimes I'll give a nod to the equally prodigious and typically smaller Atrosalarias fuscus, another True or Combtooth Blenny that is commonly available... instead, as it tends to come in smaller, doesn't get as large, not as likely to starve...>
I'm hesitant now to get another Salarias because if I don't have enough available food I don't want to loose another fish. This blenny was about 5 inches long. Is that large? 
<Yes, about maximum size...>
What is the possibility it died from old age? 
<Some>
I didn't' notice any parasites on him, and all the other fish are fine. The tang and the angel are the only other fish that eat algae in the tank and would take away from his food source (other than a clean up crew)
Anyway, just curious and thought I'd pass on my experience with a fat Salarias...maybe it will make someone think on their purchase of tankmates in relation to available food.. I know I will, despite the fact that the lawnmower blenny (nicknamed Torro) was the most popular and comical fish in the office tank!
Thanks, as always,
Kris, PA
<Thank you for this input... I would try the Atrosalarias genus or request a decidedly smaller Salarias (three inches or so) if it were my system. Bob Fenner>

One last question. (chubby Salarias)
Hello again. Thanks so much for all of your advice and help so far.
We ended up going with a Rusty Dwarf Angel and a "Lemon" Tang (not sure if that is it's real common name because I haven't found anything on it yet.)
<Likely a mimic tang variety of Acanthurus pyroferus... take a look on the WetWebMedia.com site re these>
But after 5 days, they've both done extremely well, and there's been no quarreling between any of the fish. the two new fish have both taken to the reef aquarium comfortably and have found their own niches amidst the other fish and reef life. it's still too early to tell, but I think they'll last us a while barring any freak accidents. I just had one quick question, though. since we removed the murderous Hawkfish, our algae blenny has started to get noticeably chubby given his newfound freedom to graze wherever he pleases. should I be worried about it eating too much? 
<No... this happens in the wild and in captivity. No problem>
otherwise, all the fish are doing well. the Dottyback has even eased up a bit on its aggressiveness since the introduction of the bigger dwarf angel. thanks for all your help.
Chris Pua
<You're welcome my friend. Bob Fenner>

Sick Lawnmower Blenny 8/1/04
I need your assistance.  My (female) lawnmower blenny seems ill to me.  She seems less active then normal and she is eating but not at the same rate she used to.  I had the manager of the fish store stop by to take a look at her and he said she was losing some color on her back but should be ok.  
<hmmm... based on these symptoms, there's not much to go on here (and it does not sound like much/any problem>
I am really concerned.  I checked my water parameters yesterday and they were fine, I also took a sample into the fish store to have them test and they said the parameters were fine also.  I really would like some suggestions on how to help her.  I absolutely adore this little creature.  Thanks in advance, Karen
<the best way to stimulate fishes is a series of hearty water changes and improving the diet. Let me suggest that you do at least three 25% water changes in the next 2-3 week and add some Dick Boyd's Vita-Chem (for vitamins of course) and Selcon (for HUFAs) to the diet (usually soaking the thawed frozen foods... thaw and drain first, then add the supplements before feeding to fishes). No worries :) Anthony>

Sick Lawnmower Blenny III 8/2/04
Thank you for your response.  I added some "Kent Garlic Supreme" to the food yesterday 
and did a partial water change today.  
<very good>
I have also purchased and added to the food  "Kent Zoe Marine".
<I have little regard for Kent products personally... but this may be helpful indeed>
She, the lawnmower blenny, seems to be doing better today.   
<the water change gets the credit I assure you>
We were also wondering if the moon light could be disturbing her at night , could it be affecting her rest?    
<no more than the moon on a reef <G>>
We turned the moon light off when we went to bed last night and she seemed to do better this morning..  
Thanks again.  Karen
<you fuss/worry too much Karen... and I say that affably. Relax my friend... it is a relaxing hobby. 
Fussing with your tank and fishes in the long run makes things worse. 
Allow the system to find a groove and run a more natural course without frequent knee-jerk reactions. kindly, Anthony>

Silly Blenny, or Sick Fish?
Hey crew,
<Hey Scott F. here today!>
I notice that my algae blenny every once in a while will rub up against the rocks.  He doesn't do it very often and has done it for quiet some time.  Is there a normal behavior of blennies doing this, or is it ich?? I searched the forums but didn't really find a definitive answer.
Thank you, Todd
<I've seen various blennies engage in this behavior periodically without them being ill. They are kinda goofy characters at times. My advice is to simply keep a good eye on the fish and be prepared to take action should symptoms manifest themselves. Good luck! Regards, Scott F>

Mysterious Death
Hello,
I have one question: Why my SALARIAS FASCIATUS died? Everything was ok, but for few days his stomach was  VERY BIG.<Could have been bloat> I thought that he just ate too much but today I saw him behind the rocks... What cause that?<Also could be a hitchhiker in the LR that killed him> My water par, are great. In tank there was only him and Foxface. Please tell me why he died...<I can not give you a definite answer here all I can do is give you possibilities.>
BTW:
I can't take him out of the tank, will my cleaner shrimps ate him?<Probably not...you need to take this fish out post haste. It will pollute your water.>
BTW2:
I'm going to put Zebrasoma flavescens to the tank. Will be any problems with my Foxface (it's 55 gal, but will be 195).Will they fight?
<I Have seen people do this before...normally it works but sometimes it doesn't. If it were me I would purchase a purple tang or a red sea sailfin tang because of the color difference.>
THX guys <No prob, IanB>

Quarantine?  3/10/07
Dear WWM Crew,
<Jan>
As always, thanks for all of your help!!  It is a great comfort to be able to reach out to you folks and get such great advice and help!
<Yes>
We have a 72G reef tank with about 80 lbs. of LR.  Our water parameters are
(Temp=77deg F, Sg=1.025, pH=8.3, Ca=380ppm, Mg=1290ppm, dKH=6.75, Ammonia & Nitrite=0ppm, NO3= 5ppm).  The tank was set up and cycled last May.   
For about the last six months our live stock has consisted of a pair of clowns (A. ocellaris), a fat mandarin (S. splendidus), and a school of 9 Chromis viridis.  15 various corals, 2 tube worms (Protula magnifica) 2 turbo snails and some (+/- 8) blue legged hermit crabs.  In addition to this we have 3 peppermint shrimp (L. wurdemanni) & 2 fire shrimp (L. debelius) and 2 common cleaner shrimp (L. amboinensis).
We have 3 questions.
1. Our LFS has been holding a Hawaiian Yellow Tang (Z. flavescens) for us for the last 2 weeks in their "quarantine" tank with water dosed with copper.  However, while the Tang has been alone in this tank, the tank is connected to other tanks running on the same water.  Should we quarantine this fish? If so, for the full month or just two weeks?
<I would quarantine this fish, or at the very least run it through a prophylactic FW dip/bath... detailed on... WWM>
2. We are also thinking of adding a Lawnmower Blenny (S. fasciatus) as our tank has plenty of algae on the LR.  Given this fishes need to graze algae, should it be quarantined?  If so, for how long?
<I would quarantine this species for two weeks... some smaller, likely-to-starve Blennioids for a shorter duration>
3. Also, concerning the Blenny & Tang, given the size of our tank and the current livestock listed above, do you see any potential problems with adding either or both of these fish?
<Mmm, no... not really... The fifteen species of corals here (in a 72 nominal gallon volume) should not be added to though... as they are likely "used" to each other... will/would react to new Cnidarian life adversely>
Thanks!!
Jan & Ellen  
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>