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Lawnmower Blenny

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Salarias fasciatus

Complete Lawnmower Blenny care guide covering herbivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 30 Gallons tank setup, and compatible saltwater tankmates. Difficulty: Easy.

Lawnmower Blenny

Quick Answer

Lawnmower Blenny (Salarias fasciatus) is a utility fish prized for its appetite for nuisance algae. It requires a minimum 30 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 8.1 - 8.4 and temperature range of 24-26°C. This herbivore occupies the bottom zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Lawnmower Blenny (Salarias fasciatus) is a utility fish prized for its appetite for nuisance algae. Its expressive face and perching behavior make it a favorite.

Setup

A 30-gallon or larger reef tank with live rock and plenty of algae growth. Open sand areas and caves. Good water flow.

Feeding

Herbivorous; grazes on microalgae and film algae. Supplement with nori sheets, spirulina flakes, and vegetable-based pellets.

Compatibility

Peaceful but can be territorial with similar-shaped blennies. Good with most reef-safe fish. Avoid with aggressive fish that may outcompete for food.

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Tank Position
Bottom
Water Temp
24-26°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
8.1 - 8.4

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Herbivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

Banggai Cardinalfish Care Guide: Tank Size & Diet semanticSimilarity Blue Green Chromis Care Guide: Reef Tank & Diet semanticSimilarity Coral Banded Shrimp Care Guide: Water Params & Breeding semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Lawnmower Blennies should be kept together?
Keep only one per aquarium, even in tanks over 100 gallons (378 liters). Lawnmower blennies (Salarias fasciatus) are territorial over grazing areas and will fight with other blennies of similar size and body shape (including sailfin and bicolor blennies). A single adult requires a minimum of 30 gallons (113 liters) with a footprint of 30x12 inches (75x30 cm) and plenty of live rock (1.5 lbs/gallon) with natural algae growth. Provide at least 5 perching spots. Avoid with other blenny species.
What are the exact marine water parameters for Lawnmower Blennies?
Target pH 8.1 - 8.4, specific gravity 1.023 - 1.025 (35-35.5 ppt), General Hardness 7 - 12 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 8 - 12 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 32,000 - 35,000 ppm, and temperature 72°F - 78°F (22°C - 26°C). They need an established marine aquarium with plenty of live rock containing natural algae growth. Maintain nitrates below 10 ppm with weekly 20% water changes. Use a protein skimmer. Provide moderate water flow (10x turnover). Stable salinity is critical; fluctuations >0.002 cause stress.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Lawnmower Blennies?
They are strict herbivores requiring 85% marine algae, 10% vegetable matter, 5% protein. They primarily eat green hair algae and film. Supplement with dried nori sheets (pinned to clip), spirulina pellets, and herbivore flakes daily. In tanks without algae, feed 2-3 times daily to prevent starvation. They rarely accept meaty foods. Medication alert: Tolerate copper (0.15 mg/L Cupramine) but sensitive to hyposalinity. Praziquantel is safe. Quarantine with chloroquine phosphate (15 mg/L) for 14 days. Avoid formalin.
How to breed Lawnmower Blennies in captivity?
Breeding is very rare. Condition a bonded pair (acquired as juveniles) in a 75+ gallon reef tank with abundant algae for 4 weeks. They are substrate spawners; the male clears a cave under live rock. Spawning occurs inside the cave; female lays 500-2,000 adhesive eggs. Male guards and fans eggs for 5-7 days at 75°F (24°C). Eggs hatch; larvae are pelagic and require rotifers and phytoplankton for 30-40 days. Metamorphosis occurs at 0.5 inches (1.2 cm). Larval rearing is extremely difficult; not recommended for hobbyists.

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