All fish / Blenniidae

Zebra blenny

Omobranchus zebra

Also known as zebra blenny, vietnamese freshwater blenny, freshwater blenny, zebra combtooth blenny, freshwater zebra blenny

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This is a small, slender combtooth blenny with dark vertical bars on a pale brown body and a long dorsal fin. Keepers like it for its lively, perching behaviour and the way it peers out of holes and shells.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

6 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

7.5 to 8.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Single or a group in a tank with plenty of caves

Diet

Carnivore: frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, mysis and small meaty foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Brackish

Wild range

Indian Ocean and western Pacific coasts, India to the Philippines (mangroves and estuaries)

Breeding

It lays eggs in caves or empty shells and the male guards them. Spawning has occasionally happened in aquariums, but raising the tiny larvae is difficult because they probably need brackish or marine conditions.

Good to know

Although sold as the Vietnamese freshwater blenny, it comes from mangroves and brackish water, so it does best in hard, alkaline water with some salt (about SG 1.005 to 1.010). It defends its territory against other bottom dwellers and may eat very small shrimps or fry.