Flametail Blenny
Enchelyurus flavipes
Also known as Yellowtail Black Blenny, Yellowfin Blenny, Flame Tail Blenny
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–79°F (22–26°C)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 3 in (7.5 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 29 gal (110 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Origin
- Western Pacific (Singapore to the Philippines)
- Family
- Blenniidae
Overview
Keep one per tank, since it is peaceful with most fish but can be scrappy toward other blennies, small gobies and dartfish that share the bottom. It grazes algae between meals and takes pellets and frozen foods readily. Captive-bred fish arrive fully weaned onto prepared diets.
In the wild
Flametail blennies come from shallow Western Pacific coral reefs, including the South China Sea, where they perch on rock near the bottom and duck into holes when startled. They make short trips up the reef to graze films of algae. In the aquarium give one 110 liters or more with plenty of rockwork, bolt holes and grazing surfaces.
Good to know
Enchelyurus flavipes is a small combtooth blenny in the family Blenniidae, reaching about 7.5 cm. The velvety dark body ends in bright yellow to orange tail, anal and rear dorsal fins. Eggs are laid on the substrate, fixed by a small adhesive pad, and the larvae drift as plankton before settling.
Did you know
In a dim tank the sooty body all but vanishes against the rock, so the glowing tail often looks like it is moving through the aquascape on its own.
Tank mates
Flametail Blenny is a peaceful, solitary species that keeps to the bottom. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.
Blue Gudgeon Dartfish
Ptereleotris heteropteraSaltwater5.1 in (13 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Golden Basslet
Gramma dejongiSaltwater2.8 in (7 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Gold-Specs Jawfish
Opistognathus randalliSaltwater3.9 in (10 cm)30 gal (115 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Talbot's Damsel
Chrysiptera talbotiSaltwater2.4 in (6 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Pearly Jawfish
Opistognathus aurifronsSaltwater3.9 in (10 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Cinnamon Clownfish
Amphiprion melanopusSaltwater4.7 in (12 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Flametail Blenny need?
A Flametail Blenny needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH do Flametail Blenny need?
Flametail Blenny are comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
How big do Flametail Blenny get?
An adult Flametail Blenny reaches about 3 in (7.5 cm).
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Saltwater fish · Beginner fish · Reef-safe fish · Beginner saltwater fish
Keeping Flametail Blenny?
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Related species
Red Sea Mimic Blenny
Ecsenius gravieriSaltwater3.1 in (8 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Blackline Fang Blenny
Meiacanthus nigrolineatusSaltwater3.5 in (9 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Lined Blenny
Ecsenius lineatusSaltwater3.5 in (9 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Tailspot blenny
Ecsenius stigmaturaSaltwater2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Tessellated Blenny
Hypsoblennius invemarSaltwater2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–79°F (23–26°C)
Pictus Blenny
Ecsenius pictusSaltwater2 in (5 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)