Pictus Blenny (Ecsenius pictus)

Max Size: 2 inches
Diet: Herbivore
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

The Pictus Blenny, also known as the White Lined Blenny, is a captivating and shy little fish found in the Indo-Pacific region. While not commonly seen in the aquarium trade, it can be a valuable addition to both nano and standard reef tanks for its ability to control nuisance algae growth. This is achieved through their unique comb-like teeth, which help scrape algae off surfaces, forming a significant part of their diet.

With a typical blenny shape, the Pictus blenny boasts a gray body adorned with white dots and dashes, transitioning to a yellow tail with reddish markings. Their behavior is both entertaining and endearing, as they exhibit "hopping," perching, and backing into holes around the aquarium. Unlike many of their tank-mates, these blennies lack a swim bladder, which would enable continuous swimming in the water column.

Due to their territorial nature, it is advisable to keep only one Pictus blenny, or any Ecsenius species, per aquarium to prevent quarrels. As adults, Pictus blennies usually reach a size of around 2 inches.