Tribal Blenny (Ecsenius namiyei)

Max Size: 4 inches
Diet: Herbivore
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

The Black Combtooth Blenny, also known as Namive's Blenny, Tribal Blenny, or Yellowtail Black Blenny, is a rare find in the aquarium hobby and can bring envy among fellow hobbyists. These herbivores are reef-safe and are great at controlling microalgae on live rock and corals. They have a distinctive blackish-purple body that graduates to an electric indigo and yellow-white tail, giving them a unique appearance.

In their natural habitat, they can be found in shallow reef flats, estuaries, and outer reef lagoons up to 60 feet deep. Their fine teeth, around 100, are embedded in their lips and are used to scrape algae off rocks and aquarium glass.

The Black Combtooth Blenny needs a minimum tank size of 30 gallons with plenty of live rock for perching and hiding. They are generally peaceful but can become territorial towards others within the same genus.

Their diet should include vegetable matter such as frozen and dried foods containing marine and blue-green algae. They will also consume and help control algae growth in the aquarium.