All fish / Pholidichthyidae

Convict Blenny

Pholidichthys leucotaenia

Also known as engineer goby, convict goby, convict worm goby, engineer blenny, convict fish, ヤミハタ, 工程师虾虎, 工程鱼

An eel-like fish with a long continuous dorsal fin. Juveniles carry black and white horizontal stripes like a striped catfish, while adults become darker with pale bars and blotches. It is kept for its hardy nature and its habit of digging extensive burrows under the rockwork.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

30 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

400 litres

Keep as

Singly or as a group introduced together as juveniles

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, brine shrimp, chopped seafood, marine pellets and flakes

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Central Pacific: Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands

Breeding

Pairs spawn inside their burrows and both parents guard the eggs and young. It has been bred in captivity, and the fry can be raised on rotifers and copepods, though this is still uncommon in home tanks.

Good to know

Grows to around 30 cm and moves large amounts of sand, so rockwork must sit on the tank floor rather than on the substrate. It may eat small fish and shrimp once adult; the name 'Yes' is not a recognised trade name.