Lined Blenny
Ecsenius lineatus
Also known as Lineatus Blenny, Klausewitz's Blenny, Linear Blenny, Lined Combtooth Blenny
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–79°F (22–26°C)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 3.5 in (9 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal (75 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Origin
- Indo-West Pacific (Yemen to the Philippines and Japan)
- Family
- Blenniidae
Overview
A peaceful perching blenny that mostly minds its own business and grazes through the day. Keep one per tank, since bolder blennies may harass it and two males need a very long tank to hold separate territories. Captive-bred fish take pellets and frozen foods and do not depend on natural algae growth.
In the wild
The lined blenny lives on clear coastal reefs and outer reef crests across the Indo-West Pacific, from Yemen all the way to the Philippines and southern Japan, usually shallower than 15 meters. It perches on coral and rock between short grazing runs. In the aquarium give it 75 liters or more with rockwork perches and some algal film to work over.
Good to know
Ecsenius lineatus is a combtooth blenny in the family Blenniidae, reaching about 9 cm. A dark stripe runs high along the body above a pale belly, breaking into dashes in some regional forms. It has one of the widest ranges of any species in its genus.
Did you know
Across a range stretching from Arabian waters to Japan, the stripe pattern shifts from region to region, so fish from India, the Philippines and Australia can each look subtly different.
Tank mates
Lined Blenny is a peaceful, solitary species that keeps to the bottom. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.
Tessellated Blenny
Hypsoblennius invemarSaltwater2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–79°F (23–26°C)
Black Cardinalfish
Apogonichthyoides melasSaltwater4.3 in (11 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Camel / Dancing Shrimp
Rhynchocinetes durbanensisSaltwater2 in (5 cm)16 gal (60 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Yellow Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus luteusSaltwater2 in (5 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–79°F (23–26°C)
Starry Goby
Asterropteryx semipunctataSaltwater2.8 in (7 cm)13 gal (50 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Ocellaris Clownfish
Amphiprion ocellarisSaltwater3.1 in (8 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Lined Blenny need?
A Lined Blenny needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH do Lined Blenny need?
Lined Blenny are comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
How big do Lined Blenny get?
An adult Lined Blenny reaches about 3.5 in (9 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 Lined Blenny?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Planning tankmates
See how Lined Blenny fits a stocking plan. Open the stocking calculator
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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)
Tailspot blenny
Ecsenius stigmaturaSaltwater2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Pictus Blenny
Ecsenius pictusSaltwater2 in (5 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Bicolor blenny
Ecsenius bicolorSaltwater3.9 in (10 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Midas blenny
Ecsenius midasSaltwater5.1 in (13 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Blackline Fang Blenny
Meiacanthus nigrolineatusSaltwater3.5 in (9 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)