Lawnmower blenny
Salarias fasciatus · Blenniidae
Also known as Sailfin algae blenny, Jewelled blenny
Intermediate
Hired help for hair algae — but it needs a mature, algae-rich tank or it starves.
In short: A lawnmower blenny needs at least 110 L (29 US gal), water at 23–27 °C (73–81 °F) and pH 8.1–8.4. It is peaceful, usually kept singly, and rated intermediate to keep.
Updated
- Minimum tank
- 110 L (29 US gal)
- Temperature
- 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 14 cm (5.5 in)
- Group size
- 1+
Reef & marine husbandry
- Specific gravity
- 1.023–1.026
- Reef safety
- Reef safe
- With corals
- Usually reef safe; a hungry one may pick at zoanthids or clam mantles.
- With inverts
- Reef safe.
- Minimum in a mixed reef
- 110 L (29 US gal)
- Minimum fish-only (FOWLR)
- 110 L (29 US gal)
- Aggression
- Peaceful except to other blennies.
- Feeding
- Algae must be continuously available.
Care requirements
- Minimum tank volume
- 110 L (29 US gal)
- Temperature
- 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Hardness
- 8–12 dGH
- Lifespan
- 2–6 years
- Diet
- Herbivore — film and hair algae, nori, spirulina pellets.
- Care level
- Intermediate
Origin & habitat
- Native region
- Indo-Pacific
- Water type
- Saltwater
- Biotope
- Shallow algae-covered rock and rubble
- Natural conditions
- Bright light, mature rock, moderate flow.
Behaviour & stocking
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Minimum group
- 1 fish
- Swims
- Bottom
- Good tank mates
- ClownfishTangsGobies
- Avoid
- Other algae blenniesVery small nano tanks
Breeding & difficulty
- Breeding difficulty
- Advanced
- Sexing
- Males have larger dorsal fins.
- Notes
- Not commonly bred.
- Common ailments
- StarvationMarine ich
Will it fit your tank?
Sign in and AquaLog compares Lawnmower blenny against every tank you track — volume, water type, temperature and pH — then adds it to your livestock in one tap.
Sign in to check my tanks
