Pictus Blenny
Ecsenius pictus
Also known as White-Lined Comb-Tooth Blenny, Painted Blenny, Pictus Coralblenny, Painted Combtooth Blenny
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F (23–27°C)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 2 in (5 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal (75 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Origin
- Found in the western Pacific around the Philippines, Indonesia, and the Solomon Islands, along outer reef walls with rich coral growth.
- Family
- Blenniidae
Overview
A 75 litre or larger reef tank at 23 to 27 C and pH 8.1 to 8.4 with mature live rock suits it best. It is generally reef safe, though it may occasionally nip at clam mantles. Offer a mixed diet of algae, spirulina, and small meaty foods, and let it graze the rockwork. It is peaceful and full of character, but keep only one per tank unless the tank is large, since they squabble with their own kind.
In the wild
The pictus blenny is a tiny combtooth blenny that perches on rock and coral, hopping from spot to spot. Its brown body is marked with rows of white and blue dots along dark stripes. It grazes film algae and detritus from hard surfaces. A rocky tank with lots of perches and grazing surface keeps it happy.
Good to know
Ecsenius pictus is a combtooth blenny in the family Blenniidae, and its name means painted in Latin. Combtooth blennies use rows of fine teeth to scrape algae off rock. It reaches only about 5 cm, which makes it a good fit for small reef tanks.
Did you know
Despite its small size it has a big personality and often perches out in the open watching the room rather than hiding.
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 Pictus Blenny?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Related species
Tailspot blenny
Ecsenius stigmatura2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Red Sea Mimic Blenny
Ecsenius gravieri3.1 in (8 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Bicolor blenny
Ecsenius bicolor3.9 in (10 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Midas blenny
Ecsenius midas5.1 in (13 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Disco Blenny
Meiacanthus smithi3.1 in (8 cm)26 gal (100 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Blackline Fang Blenny
Meiacanthus nigrolineatus3.5 in (9 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)