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
Difficulty
Beginner
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Reef safe
Family
Blenniidae
Origin
Tropical Atlantic and Mediterranean rocky reefs

Overview

An easygoing grazer with a documented taste for aiptasia glass anemones, which makes it a popular pick for reef keepers fighting a pest outbreak, though it tends to target smaller aiptasia and leaves larger anemones alone. It needs a varied diet of algae sheets, spirulina and meaty frozen foods to stay satisfied, and once its aiptasia and algae supply runs out it can turn territorial and start nipping at corals or tankmates, so keep feedings generous. Best kept one per tank unless housing an established pair.

In the wild

Found on shallow rocky shores and reef flats through the tropical and subtropical Atlantic, from Bermuda and Florida through the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean to Brazil, plus parts of the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. A hardy generalist that tolerates a wide range of conditions in the wild, though aquarium specimens do best in a standard reef setup of at least 114 liters (30 gallons) with mature live rock offering plenty of perches and hiding spots.

Good to know

The molly miller gets its shaggy look from a fringe of branched cirri, hair-like sensory appendages, above the eyes and along the head. It is oviparous, and mature males, ready to breed at around 18 weeks old, stake out and defend a nest site to attract females. Its broad range across the Atlantic and Mediterranean makes it one of the more temperature-tolerant combtooth blennies kept in the hobby.

Did you know

It has earned a reputation as a natural aiptasia exterminator, with reef keepers reporting a molly miller clearing a small outbreak of the pest anemones in about a week, though it will leave larger anemones untouched and go after the smaller ones first.

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.

How big does a Molly Miller blenny get?

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

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