All fish / Labrisomidae

Diamond Blenny

Malacoctenus boehlkei

Also known as diamond blenny, bohlke's blenny, boehlke's blenny, diamond scaly blenny

A small, slim scaled blenny with a pale body crossed by dusky bars and fine bluish or pearly spots, giving a diamond-like sparkle. In the wild it often rests near giant anemones, and keepers like it for its alert perching behaviour on rock in reef tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

6 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

75 litres

Keep as

Singly, or one per tank unless it is very large

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, brine shrimp, chopped seafood and small meaty frozen foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Central Atlantic: Bahamas, Caribbean, Belize, Honduras, Lesser Antilles

Breeding

Males guard eggs laid on hard surfaces in their territory, and the larvae are planktonic. Captive breeding is rarely reported and raising the larvae is difficult.

Good to know

Can be territorial towards other blennies and similar bottom-dwellers, and it may pick at small shrimps. The "Yes" trade label is not a recognised name, so confirm the species before buying.