TankBud

Molly Miller blenny

Scartella cristata

Also known as Molly Miller

SaltwaterFish

Molly Miller blenny (Scartella cristata)
Etrusko25 · Public domain

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
4.7 in
12 cm
Minimum tank
30 gal
114 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Beginner
Breeding
Egg layer
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Reef safe
Family
Blenniidae
Origin
Tropical Atlantic and Mediterranean rocky reefs

Overview

The Molly Miller blenny is an easygoing grazer for a saltwater reef tank. It is easy enough for a beginner.

Did you know

The Molly Miller blenny has a reputation as a natural aiptasia exterminator. Reef keepers report one clearing a small outbreak in about a week.

Caring for the Molly Miller blenny

Keep the Molly Miller blenny in a standard reef setup of 30 gal (114 L) or more. Give it mature live rock with plenty of perches and hiding spots. Hold the water at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4.

It has a documented taste for aiptasia glass anemones, which makes it a popular pick against this pest. It tends to target smaller aiptasia and leaves larger anemones alone.

Feed a varied diet of algae sheets, spirulina and meaty frozen foods. Once its supply of aiptasia and algae runs out, it can turn territorial and start nipping at corals or tank mates. Keep feedings generous.

Keep one per tank unless you have an established pair. It lays eggs, and mature males are ready to breed at around 18 weeks old. A male stakes out and defends a nest site to attract females.

Good to know

Scartella cristata, the Molly Miller blenny, gets its shaggy look from a fringe of branched cirri above the eyes and along the head. These cirri are hair-like sensory appendages. It belongs to the family Blenniidae. Its broad range across the Atlantic and Mediterranean makes it one of the more temperature-tolerant combtooth blennies in the hobby.

In the wild

The Molly Miller blenny lives on shallow rocky shores and reef flats in the tropical and subtropical Atlantic. Its range runs from Bermuda and Florida through the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean to Brazil. It also reaches parts of the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. It is a hardy generalist that tolerates a wide range of conditions in the wild.

Common questions

What size tank does a Molly Miller blenny need?

A Molly Miller blenny needs at least 30 gal (114 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Molly Miller blenny need?

A Molly Miller blenny is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does a Molly Miller blenny eat?

A Molly Miller blenny eats algae sheets, spirulina and meaty frozen foods, along with any aiptasia it finds. Keep its feedings generous, since a hungry one can start nipping at corals or tank mates.

How big does a Molly Miller blenny get?

An adult Molly Miller blenny reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).

How does a Molly Miller blenny breed?

Molly Miller blennies lay eggs. Males are ready to breed at around 18 weeks old, when each one stakes out and defends a nest site to attract females.

Related species